The key facts

  • The talks in Abu Dhabi began at around 11:15 Moscow time and are scheduled for two days
  • The Ukrainian delegation arrived in suits, whereas earlier, including in Istanbul in 2025, some of its representatives wore military uniforms
  • Russia is represented by 11 people, including Medinsky, Ryabkov, and officials from the FSB and the General Staff

Start of consultations in Abu Dhabi

Trilateral talks involving delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the United States began in Abu Dhabi at around 11:15 Moscow time; the consultations are scheduled to last two days. Citing a TASS correspondent, Gazeta.Ru reports.

Suits instead of military uniforms

This time the Ukrainian delegation is taking part in the talks in business suits rather than military uniforms. The outlet notes that at some previous rounds, including in Istanbul in 2025, some of the Ukrainian representatives wore military uniforms — meaning the visual presentation of the current round marks a noticeable change compared with earlier meetings. As before, the negotiators from Kyiv are led by the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Rustem Umerov.

Composition of the delegations

The Russian delegation includes 11 people: Vladimir Medinsky, Deputy Foreign Ministers Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Chief of the General Staff Igor Kostyukov, Deputy Head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff Yuri Zhigarlovsky, Head of the FSB Directorate for Operational Information and International Communications Alexei Komkov, and First Deputy Head of the FSB Dmitry Minaev. Ukraine, besides Umerov, is represented by the head of the presidential office Kyrylo Budanov, his first deputy Serhiy Kyslytsia, the leader of the Servant of the People faction David Arakhamia, Deputy Head of the Defence Ministry's Intelligence Directorate Vadym Skibitsky, and former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Andriy Hnatov. From the United States, the table includes the president's special envoy Steve Witkoff, the American leader's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and the commander of US European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Alexus Grynkewich.

Context

Earlier, the outlet notes, it was reportedthat the United States is seeking to give Europeans access to the talks on Ukraine. The publication does not yet report on the content of the consultations in Abu Dhabi or their outcomes — they have only just begun and will last two days.