DIPLOMACY GETS A DESERT RESERVATION! The United States will mediate working-level talks with Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announced, with the Kremlin confirming participation Tuesday, CNBC and Reuters reported.
Witkoff said discussions will cover “post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian measures, and ending the war.” A senior U.S. official told Reuters that Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected for Washington. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin aide Vladimir Medinsky will be Moscow’s chief negotiator — the same hawkish figure who led earlier Istanbul talks.
Before Abu Dhabi, U.S. negotiators meet European and NATO officials in Brussels this week on postwar security guarantees and Ukraine’s reconstruction. Separately, first lady Melania Trump will host Russian and Ukrainian representatives at the White House Thursday on a local Kherson ceasefire after a six-day pause around Oleshky that Ukraine accused Russia of using to reinforce positions.
Peskov also floated hopes of finalizing a Trump–Putin–Xi meeting “in the coming days”; Zelenskyy has insisted “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” Analysts told RFE/RL not to expect a breakthrough unless Putin accepts a ceasefire — prisoner swaps remain the likelier near-term outcome.
Featured image: AI-generated editorial illustration by Bugle Blast.
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