Symbolic imageRussia, Ukraine and US resume Abu Dhabi talks as Europe's role is contested
Russia, Ukraine and the US met in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for their first trilateral talks since February. Expectations of a breakthrough are low.
The two-day talks began on Tuesday, 10 November, with territory and security guarantees on the agenda. Russia's delegation under Vladimir Medinsky thanked Washington for its "peacemaking efforts". The Financial Times says hopes are low because Putin shows no sign of wanting to halt the war, and the FAZ reports that Lavrov rejects a ceasefire.
Prisoner exchange
The FAZ reports that Kyiv and Moscow have apparently agreed on a prisoner exchange.
Europe wants in
A Russian delegation source told Reuters that Moscow wants postwar European security at the centre, with Ukraine only "one aspect". No European negotiators sit at the table, but US envoy Steve Witkoff met Ukrainian and European representatives first and wants to widen the process to European partners. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Europe already has a security architecture that Russia keeps breaking.
Territorial proposals
The Economist reports that US negotiators floated redrawing the Donetsk and Luhansk borders so Russia could claim both regions without Ukraine ceding unoccupied land. Russia demands recognition of its control over Crimea and four regions, and a source close to Zelensky's office says Ukraine will not give up territory.