The key facts

  • The talks in Abu Dhabi began on November 10; previous trilateral meetings took place in February 2026
  • The Russian delegation of 11 people was led by Vladimir Medinsky, Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin
  • Political scientist Vadim Trukhachev linked Moscow's refusal of EU participation to Brussels' position; Zakharova called the presence of Europeans a promotional stunt

The talks resumed after a nine-month break

On November 10 in Abu Dhabi began the first meeting within the framework of trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States. The previous full-fledged trilateral talks took place in February of this year, meaning the break lasted about nine months. The negotiating round was opened by UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, after which he left the hall.

Composition of the Russian delegation

The Russian delegation included 11 people. Among them are presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Chief of the General Staff Igor Kostyukov and Deputy Head of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff Yuri Zhigarlovsky, Head of the FSB Directorate of Operational Information and International Communications Alexei Komkov, as well as First Deputy Head of the FSB Dmitry Minaev. This was reported by Gazeta.Ru.

Moscow's position on Europe's participation

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called the presence of Europeans in Abu Dhabi a promotional stunt and an attempt to provide information support to Kyiv.

Why Russia opposes EU participation

Political scientist Vadim Trukhachev, an associate professor at the Financial University, explained in a comment to Gazeta.Ru that Moscow opposes the presence of EU politicians in the sidelines of the talks because, in his assessment, the Russian leadership recognizes the impossibility of compromises on Brussels' part. «Apparently, the Russian leadership has a full understanding that the Europeans do not want to make any compromises with us,» he said. According to Trukhachev, Europe cannot be a mediator because it is a party to the conflict, and this is also understood in Moscow.

Context

Earlier, as reported in other Gazeta.Ru publications, the United States could help with Ukraine's reconstruction after the end of the conflict. The content of the current round of talks and its results have not yet been reported in available publications.