--- title: "\"It's tough with the Russians\": Zelenskyy comments on Abu Dhabi negotiations for the first time" description: "Zelenskyy stated that it is difficult for the Ukrainian delegation to negotiate with Russia in Abu Dhabi, where the trilateral format with the US resumed on November 10. The first round has concluded, focusing on humanitarian issues." date: 2026-11-10T15:16:04.944Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelenskyy-abu-dhabi-negotiations-comment tags: [ukraine, russia, abu-dhabi-talks, prisoner-exchange, zelensky, diplomacy] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # "It's tough with the Russians": Zelenskyy comments on Abu Dhabi negotiations for the first time ![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a dark embroidered shirt standing by a doorway](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/10/zelenskyi-o-peregovorah-v-abu-dabi/zelenskyi-o-peregovorah-v-abu-dabi-1.webp) ## Key Points - On November 10 in Abu Dhabi, after a long break, the trilateral negotiation format of Ukraine, the US, and Russia resumed; the first round ended by 5:00 PM. - Zelenskyy stated at a University of Copenhagen discussion that it is "tough with the Russians" to negotiate. - The negotiations focus on humanitarian issues, including prisoner exchanges; sources indicate discussions on a possible major swap. - Head of the Ukrainian delegation Rustem Umerov stated that Ukraine wants lasting peace and expects security guarantees from partners. On November 10, following a long break, the trilateral negotiation format between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia resumed. The negotiation teams of the three countries met in Abu Dhabi, and as of 5:00 PM, the first round of consultations had already concluded. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who participated in a discussion at the University of Copenhagen that same day, the Ukrainian delegation is engaged in complex negotiations focused primarily on humanitarian issues. ### Abu Dhabi negotiations: First round concluded As reported by RBC-Ukraine citing Novyny.LIVE, during the discussion at the University of Copenhagen, Zelenskyy was asked about the negotiations with the US and Russia taking place in Abu Dhabi. The head of the Ukrainian state replied that prior to making the statement, he had spoken with the Ukrainian team on the ground. According to him, the negotiations in Abu Dhabi are focused on humanitarian issues, including prisoner exchanges. ### Zelenskyy on negotiations: "It's tough with the Russians" Commenting on the course of consultations, the Ukrainian president stated: "I just spoke with our team in Abu Dhabi. It's tough with the Russians. To put it mildly, they are not our best friends." This is one of Zelenskyy's first public remarks regarding the content and nature of the negotiations in the new trilateral format since their resumption. ### Position of the Ukrainian delegation The head of the Ukrainian delegation, Rustem Umerov, Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, commenting on the talks, noted that Ukraine aims to achieve a lasting peace. According to him, Kyiv also expects to receive security guarantees from its partners. Thus, the Ukrainian side links the effectiveness of the consultations not only with the humanitarian track but also with long-term security issues. ### Humanitarian track and prisoner exchange RBC-Ukraine sources noted that one of the topics discussed in Abu Dhabi was the possibility of a major prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia. This aligns with Zelenskyy's statement that the talks focus on humanitarian issues, including exchanges. The specific parameters of a potential exchange were not disclosed in the provided materials. ### Context: Resumption of the trilateral format The meeting in Abu Dhabi became a continuation of the negotiation process after a long break and confirmed the operation of the trilateral format involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia. The conclusion of the first round by 5:00 PM indicates that consultations are proceeding in a working mode, while their outcomes and further agenda remain the focus of attention for Ukrainian and international observers. ## Fact-Check & Sources - ["С россиянами тяжело". Зеленский впервые высказался о переговорах в Абу-Даби](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/z-rosiyanami-vazhko-zelenskiy-vpershe-vislovivsya-1794323335.html) - Primary source: Zelenskyy's quote on Abu Dhabi negotiations, resumption of the trilateral format on November 10, completion of the first round by 5:00 PM, Umerov's statement on peace and security guarantees, sources on the prisoner exchange topic. ## FAQ ### Where and when did the negotiations mentioned by Zelenskyy take place? The negotiations took place on November 10 in Abu Dhabi in a trilateral format involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia; as of 5:00 PM, the first round had concluded. ### What did Zelenskyy say about the negotiations with Russia? He stated that the Ukrainian delegation finds it difficult to negotiate with the Russians, adding, "To put it mildly, they are not our best friends." ### What topics were discussed during the Abu Dhabi negotiations? According to Zelenskyy, the negotiations focus on humanitarian issues, including prisoner exchanges; RBC-Ukraine sources pointed to discussions on a possible large-scale prisoner swap. ### What is the position of the Ukrainian delegation following the first round? Head of the delegation Rustem Umerov stated that Ukraine wants to achieve lasting peace and expects security guarantees from its partners.