The key facts

  • The talks in Abu Dhabi will take place on November 10 and 11, mediated by the United States
  • This is the first trilateral meeting after an almost nine-month break
  • Ukraine plans to focus on the humanitarian track and prisoner exchanges

Talks in Abu Dhabi: format and agenda

On November 10 and 11, talks between representatives of Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the United States, will take place in Abu Dhabi, reports Gazeta.Ru. The meeting will be the first in a trilateral format after an almost nine-month break. The parties intend to discuss conditions for a cessation of hostilities, security guarantees, and humanitarian issues.

Kyiv's priorities

The head of the office of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, Kyrylo Budanov stated in his Telegram channel, that the Kyiv delegation plans to pay great attention to the 'humanitarian track.' 'We need to intensify prisoner exchanges. I expect the dialogue in the UAE to yield a practical result,' he wrote. Budanov emphasized the importance of the fact that 'the diplomatic process continues,' assured that Ukraine wants peace 'more than anyone else,' and expressed hope for constructive dialogue.

Context

It had been reported in advance that the talks would take place specifically on November 10 and 11, in addition to the agenda of the meeting itself, the media also note related statements: for example, the Estonian Foreign Minister earlier named, in his view, the best possible outcome of the talks in Abu Dhabi. The practical results of the meeting — in particular, possible progress on prisoner exchanges, which the Ukrainian side insists on — will become known following its conclusion.