---
title: "Arakhamia: Ukraine does not expect a breakthrough from the first round of talks in Abu Dhabi, hopes lie in the second"
description: "Head of the Servant of the People faction, David Arakhamia, stated that Ukraine does not expect a breakthrough from the first round of talks with Russia and the US in Abu Dhabi, but hopes for results in the second round."
date: 2026-11-09T19:32:11.350Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-not-expecting-breakthrough-abu-dhabi-talks
tags: [ukraine-russia-talks, abu-dhabi, david-arakhamia, peace-negotiations, us-mediators, humanitarian-track]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Arakhamia: Ukraine does not expect a breakthrough from the first round of talks in Abu Dhabi, hopes lie in the second

![David Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People faction, at a political event](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/09/ukraina-ne-ozhidaet-proryva-ot-pervogo-raunda-peregovorov-v-abu-dabi/ukraina-ne-ozhidaet-proryva-ot-pervogo-raunda-peregovorov-v-abu-dabi-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Ukraine does not expect a breakthrough from the first round of talks with Russia and the US in Abu Dhabi; hopes are placed on the second round
- The reason for restrained expectations is a long break; Arakhamia calls the resumption of dialogue an achievement
- According to Arakhamia, the US is acting 'as symmetrically as possible' and not taking sides
- The issue of a ceasefire will not be discussed at the first meeting; the focus is on post-war security and the humanitarian track (prisoner exchanges)

The Ukrainian side does not expect a breakthrough during the first round of trilateral talks involving the US and Russia, which, according to reports, are set to resume on November 10 in Abu Dhabi. David Arakhamia, head of the "Servant of the People" parliamentary faction, told DW that after a long break, the resumption of the dialogue itself is an achievement. According to him, this is why the expectations of the Kyiv negotiating team for the first meeting are minimal, while for the second round, as he put it, "we expect something."

### Why no breakthrough is expected from the first meeting

Arakhamia's key argument is the long break in the negotiation process. "I think not (we should not expect a breakthrough). And here is why: there was a long break in the negotiations. Therefore, if we talk about the internal situation, the resumption of negotiations is already an achievement," he explained. In this context, he assesses the first meeting as having a restorative nature: the parties are returning to the dialogue format, exchanging positions, and building a work agenda, rather than finalizing breakthrough agreements.

### How Kyiv assesses Washington's role

Responding to a question about the United States' position, Arakhamia stated that he sees no signs of Washington taking sides in the conflict. "They are trying to act as symmetrically as possible," he emphasized. Thus, the Ukrainian side assesses the US role primarily as a mediator, rather than support for one of the parties, which, according to him, determines the nature and pace of initial contacts.

### Agenda: security and humanitarian track

According to The New York Times, the issue of a ceasefire will not be discussed at the first meeting in Abu Dhabi; the focus is expected to shift to post-war security issues and settlement mechanisms. In this vein, US Presidential Envoy Jared Kushner announced that ahead of the peace talks in Abu Dhabi, the US is convening a separate meeting with NATO partners, EU representatives, and Ukraine to discuss the post-war security architecture. In parallel, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that Kyiv intends to pay close attention to the humanitarian track during the talks, specifically the intensification of prisoner-of-war exchanges.

### What this means for the second round

The combination of statements indicates a phased logic to the negotiations: the first round is viewed as re-establishing contact and working out the framework, while the Ukrainian side links concrete results on security and humanitarian issues to the second round. Thus, the parties are approaching November 10 in Abu Dhabi with deliberately restrained expectations for the first meeting, but with the calculation that the momentum gathered during the break and parallel consultations with NATO and EU allies will allow them to advance the agenda at the next stage.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Украина не ожидает прорыва от первого раунда переговоров с РФ: Арахамия объяснил причину](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ukrayina-chekae-prorivu-vid-pershogo-raundu-1794251136.html) - Source: Arakhamia's direct speech in comments to DW regarding minimal expectations for the first round and hopes for the second, the symmetrical position of the US; NYT context regarding the November 10 date in Abu Dhabi and lack of ceasefire discussions, Kushner's statement about meetings with NATO/EU, Budanov's statement on the humanitarian track.
- [Арахамия: Киев не ожидает прорыва в первом этапе переговоров с РФ в Абу-Даби](https://report.az/ru/drugie-strany/arahamiya-kiev-ne-ozhidaet-proryva-v-pervom-etape-peregovorov-s-rf-v-abu-dabi) - Consistent with the source: minimal expectations for the first round, hopes for the second, symmetry of the US, November 10 date, focus on security and humanitarian issues (prisoner exchanges per Budanov).
- [Арахамия: На первых переговорах вряд ли будет прорыв, есть ожидания от второго раунда](https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2026/11/09/8062017/) - Arakhamia's direct speech is identical to the basis; confirms the thesis about the break and the achievement of resuming the dialogue.
- [Прорыва не будет: Арахамия сказал, чего ждать от переговоров в Абу-Даби](https://tsn.ua/ru/politika/proryva-ne-budet-arahamiya-skazal-chego-zhdat-ot-peregovorov-v-abu-dabi-3210267.html) - Confirms the lack of reliance on a breakthrough in the first round and the importance of restoring dialogue after a break.

## FAQ

### Does Ukraine expect a breakthrough from the first round of talks in Abu Dhabi?

No. According to David Arakhamia, head of the 'Servant of the People' faction, expectations for the first meeting are minimal due to the long break, and he calls the resumption of dialogue an achievement. Hopes are pinned on the second round.

### When and where will the talks take place?

According to available information, talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the US are set to resume on November 10, 2026, in Abu Dhabi.

### Will a ceasefire be discussed?

According to The New York Times, the issue of a ceasefire will not be discussed at the first meeting; the focus will shift to post-war security and settlement mechanisms.

### What is the US position, according to Kyiv?

Arakhamia stated that he does not see the US taking any side and emphasized that Washington is 'trying to act as symmetrically as possible'.

### What else is on the agenda?

US Envoy Jared Kushner announced a separate meeting with NATO partners, EU representatives, and Ukraine to discuss the post-war security architecture. Head of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov stated that Kyiv will focus on the humanitarian track and the intensification of prisoner exchanges.