Russia and Ukraine are set to resume US-mediated negotiations in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11, in a renewed diplomatic effort to end the war that has devastated Ukraine and strained relations between Moscow and Western countries.
The Kremlin confirmed on Tuesday that a Russian delegation would travel to the United Arab Emirates next week to participate in trilateral discussions involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin's aide and former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky would represent Moscow at the negotiations.
"The Russian delegation will arrive on November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi to take part in trilateral talks," Peskov said, as per Reuters.
The proposed meeting marks another diplomatic effort involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States to explore a possible resolution to the conflict, which has continued for more than four years.
Russia's decision to send Medinsky signals Moscow's participation in the upcoming round of discussions. However, the agenda, the specific issues to be addressed and the prospects for progress towards a settlement have not been detailed in the Kremlin's announcement.
{{/usCountry}}Russia's decision to send Medinsky signals Moscow's participation in the upcoming round of discussions. However, the agenda, the specific issues to be addressed and the prospects for progress towards a settlement have not been detailed in the Kremlin's announcement.
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Focus of Abu Dhabi meeting
The talks in Abu Dhabi are expected to bring the three sides together as international efforts to end the war continue. Whether the discussions can produce meaningful progress towards a ceasefire or a broader peace agreement remains to be seen.
The announcement follows confirmation from US special envoy Steve Witkoff that Washington would bring together Russian and Ukrainian representatives for a new round of working-level negotiations aimed at finding a possible resolution to the conflict.
US seeks breakthrough in Russia-Ukraine negotiations
The upcoming meeting is part of US President Donald Trump's renewed diplomatic push to end the war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
According to Witkoff, the discussions in Abu Dhabi will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian measures and further steps towards ending the conflict.
Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to represent Washington at the negotiations, according to a senior US official cited by Reuters.
The latest diplomatic initiative follows a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Witkoff in St Petersburg approximately two weeks ago. Putin agreed to another round of trilateral discussions following the meeting, according to Reuters.
Washington is seeking to build on earlier diplomatic engagements involving the parties, including discussions in Kyiv, Oslo and St Petersburg.
The United States has been attempting to bring Moscow and Kyiv closer to a negotiated settlement, although significant differences remain over the terms of any potential agreement.