The key facts
- The Russia–US–Ukraine talks are taking place in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11
- Umerov said Zelensky had given a mandate to discuss all topics related to the conflict
- According to media reports, there are no European representatives at the negotiating table
A mandate for all topics
The Ukrainian delegation at the talks in Abu Dhabi has received from President Volodymyr Zelensky the authority to discuss all topics related to ending the conflict. This was announced on November 10 at the opening of the trilateral meeting by the head of Kyiv's negotiating group, head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service Rustem Umerov. “We have a mandate from Zelensky to discuss all topics,” his words were reported by Gazeta.Ru, citing TASS; the Ukrainian outlet “Strana” quotes him via Life.ru with the addition that “there have been very productive discussions with US representatives over the past year and especially over the last two months.”
Composition and format
The trilateral talks, mediated by the US, are scheduled for November 10 and 11. The Russian delegation is led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, while the American side is represented by US presidential special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. According to media reports, there are no European representatives at the table, although on November 8 French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that France would be represented and intended to convey Europe's position. Before the consultations began, the Ukrainian delegation held separate meetings with representatives of European states, NATO and the European Commission, announcing its intention to coordinate positions on security and post-war reconstruction.
What is being discussed and what remains unclear
According to Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, the parties will discuss security guarantees for both Ukraine and Russia; also, as Life.ru notes, measures to reduce the risk of escalation and further steps toward a settlement are expected to be discussed. Earlier, media reported that the US had proposed changing Ukraine's borders. Significant uncertainty remains: Umerov did not clarify whether the delegation's stated authority extends to making final decisions or possibly signing agreements — that is, the statement about a “mandate for all topics” does not yet mean Kyiv is ready to formalize agreements.
