Ukraine and Russia won't discuss ceasefire at Abu Dhabi talks, media reports
Photo: Russia's war against Ukraine (Getty Images)
US-led talks aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine will resume on November 10 in Abu Dhabi. However, a ceasefire will not be on the agenda, according to The New York Times.
Talks in Abu Dhabi
After a nine-month pause, negotiations to end the war in Ukraine are set to resume on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, the outlet writes.
The process had previously stalled because Ukraine was unwilling to make territorial concessions to Russia and the war between the US, Israel and Iran began.
This week, negotiators will focus on security guarantees to prevent the war from resuming if a ceasefire is reached, US officials said. The idea is to move beyond territorial disputes and address broader European security issues.
The process is being led by Steve Witkoff, the administration's special peace envoy, and Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law.
Will EU representatives take part?
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said his country would participate. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied this.
On Saturday, the European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said that "any agreement would require EU participation to be implemented."
The outlet recalled that Russia's attempts to negotiate a grand bargain on European security in 2021 and early 2022 had failed.
What will be discussed
Witkoff said the talks would focus on a "post-war security arrangement, de-escalation" and humanitarian issues.
Negotiators will also consider whether Russia's participation in shaping the post-war regional security architecture could soften its demands regarding an end to the war against Ukraine.
What could happen next
Many analysts do not expect any breakthrough in the talks before spring. That is when Russia will be able to assess the results of its winter bombing campaign against Ukraine.
Ukraine, meanwhile, is targeting oil refineries and other oil-processing facilities in an effort "to whittle away at Russia’s oil-dependent economy."
"The question is: 'Has Putin recognized he has a problem?'" said William Taylor, a former US ambassador to Ukraine, referring to Russia's setbacks on the battlefield.
For now, he said, Putin has not, as Russia is not softening its demands or showing any signs of wanting a ceasefire.
"There’s no indication of any interest," he said.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that the Ukrainian negotiating delegation had departed for talks in Abu Dhabi. Trilateral negotiations involving representatives of Ukraine, the US and Russia are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
In addition, EU countries are divided over how prominently Europe should be represented at the upcoming talks in Abu Dhabi.
The Russian side had confirmed that security issues concerning Ukraine, Russia and the entire region would be the main topic of the talks in Abu Dhabi.
The Ukrainian delegation will be led by Foreign Intelligence Service chief Rustem Umerov. It will also include Presidential Office head Kyrylo Budanov, Davyd Arakhamia, Sergiy Kyslytsya and Vadym Skibitskyi.
