--- title: "Abu Dhabi Talks: US Resumes Peace Process Without Discussing Ceasefire" description: "Trilateral talks between the US, Ukraine, and Russia will resume on November 10 in Abu Dhabi after a nine-month pause. A ceasefire will not be on the agenda, focusing instead on security guarantees." date: 2026-11-09T15:43:07.668Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/abu-dhabi-talks-resumed-without-ceasefire tags: [abu-dhabi-talks, ukraine-russia, peace-negotiations, us-mediators, europe-security] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Abu Dhabi Talks: US Resumes Peace Process Without Discussing Ceasefire ![Military personnel fire an artillery shell at night in a field during combat](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/09/peregovory-v-abu-dabi-bez-prekrashcheniya-ognya/peregovory-v-abu-dabi-bez-prekrashcheniya-ognya-1.webp) ## Key Points - US, Ukrainian, and Russian talks will resume on November 10 in Abu Dhabi after a nine-month pause. - A ceasefire will not be discussed; the focus is on security guarantees and post-war architecture. - The process is led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner; the Ukrainian delegation is led by Rustem Umerov. - France claims it will participate, while Kremlin spokesman Peskov denies this; Europe lacks a unified position. Trilateral negotiations to resolve the war between Russia and Ukraine, coordinated by the US administration, will resume on November 10 in Abu Dhabi. According to RBC-Ukraine citing The New York Times, after a nine-month pause, the process had stalled due to Ukraine's refusal to make territorial concessions and the outbreak of conflict between the US and Israel with Iran. The meeting of delegations from Ukraine, the US, and Russia is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, with the main condition for the new round being that a ceasefire itself will not be on the agenda. ### What is on the agenda: security guarantees, not a truce According to US officials, this week negotiators will focus on security guarantees designed to prevent the resumption of war in the event a ceasefire is reached. The idea, as the publication phrases it, is to go beyond territorial claims and address broader European security issues. US administration special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is leading the process alongside President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, stated that the focus will be on "post-war security arrangements, de-escalation," and humanitarian issues. They will separately discuss whether Russia's participation in shaping the post-war regional security architecture could soften its demands regarding ending the war against Ukraine. ### Composition of delegations and Europe's disputed role The Ukrainian delegation will be led by the Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Rustem Umerov; its members also include Kyrylo Budanov, David Arakhamia, Sergiy Kyslytsya, and Vadym Skibitsky. The Russian side, in turn, confirmed that the security issues of Ukraine, Russia, and the entire region will be the main topic. Tension has arisen regarding Europe's participation: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that Paris will participate so that "Europe's voice is heard," while EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas emphasized that any agreement will require EU participation for its implementation. At the same time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denies this position, and European countries still lack a unified view on the level at which the continent should be represented in Abu Dhabi. ### Moscow's position and analysts' assessments Ahead of the round, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu accused Kyiv and European partners of being "intent on continuing the war," as well as militarizing Europe and expanding NATO's military infrastructure in border areas. Many analysts, however, do not expect a breakthrough until spring: by that time, Russia will be able to assess the results of its winter bombing campaign, while Ukraine continues strikes on oil refining facilities to dismantle Moscow's oil dependence. Former US Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor summarized: "Has Putin realized he has a problem?" — and answered negatively, pointing out that Russia is not softening its demands or showing a desire for a ceasefire. ### Context: why the process stalled The New York Times recalls that Russia's attempts in 2021 and early 2022 to negotiate a grand European security deal failed. The nine-month hiatus in the current cycle resulted from both Ukraine's rejection of territorial concessions and Washington's diplomatic attention shifting to the Middle East conflict. This is why the new round in Abu Dhabi is perceived more as ground-laying — "talks to talk" — than as a step toward an immediate truce. ## Accounts differ ### Participation of France and Europe in the Abu Dhabi talks - **French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Jean-Noël Barrot):** France will participate in consultations in Abu Dhabi to convey the position of European countries and ensure Europe's voice is heard. ([ua.news](https://ua.news/ru/world/frantsiia-vizme-uchast-u-peregovorakh-shchodo-ukrayini-v-abu-dabi-glava-mzs-barro)) - **Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov:** Denies the participation of France/Europe in the described negotiation format. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/peregovorah-abu-dabi-ukrayina-i-rf-rozglyadatimut-1794238343.html)) *Where they agree:* Trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia are scheduled for November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [На переговорах в Абу-Даби Украина и РФ не будут рассматривать прекращение огня, - СМИ](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/peregovorah-abu-dabi-ukrayina-i-rf-rozglyadatimut-1794238343.html) - Primary source basis: date of November 10, format, absence of a truce on the agenda, delegation composition, quotes from Witkoff and Taylor. - [Франция примет участие в переговорах по Украине в Абу-Даби, — заявил глава МИД Барро](https://ua.news/ru/world/frantsiia-vizme-uchast-u-peregovorakh-shchodo-ukrayini-v-abu-dabi-glava-mzs-barro) - Confirms France's participation and Europe's position; Barrot's quote. - [Шойгу обвинил Украину и Европу в подготовке к продолжению войны перед переговорами в Абу-Даби](https://ua.news/ru/war-vs-rf/shoigu-zvinuvativ-ukrayinu-ta-evropu-v-pidgotovtsi-do-prodovzhennia-viini-pered-peregovorami-v-abu-dabi) - Shoigu's statements ahead of the round; Moscow's accusatory tone. - [Переговоры, чтобы договориться о переговорах: чего ожидать от встречи делегаций в Абу-Даби](https://24tv.ua/ru/peregovory-chtoby-dogovoritsja-o-peregovorah-chego-ozhidat-ot_n3173243) - Context and expectations from the meeting; Europe's role. ## FAQ ### When and where will the negotiations take place? November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi in a trilateral format involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia. ### Will a ceasefire be discussed? No. According to The New York Times, a ceasefire will not be a subject of discussion; the focus is on security guarantees and post-war architecture. ### Who is leading the process? On the American side — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner; the Ukrainian delegation — Rustem Umerov.