Lavrov says Abu Dhabi trilateral talks will open with security guarantees

In brief

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says security will be the first item at the Ukraine–US–Russia talks in Abu Dhabi.
• Lavrov welcomes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's emphasis on security guarantees.
• The trilateral meeting is scheduled for November 10–11 in the United Arab Emirates.

Security on the agenda

Lavrov said the first item on the agenda of the trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi concerns the security of Russia, Ukraine and the region as a whole (Лавров назвав головну тему тристоронньої зустрічі в Абу-Дабі: про що говоритимуть – TSN). He said he had noted a statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that security guarantees would stand at the front of the discussions. According to Lavrov, Moscow welcomes this approach (Лавров розповів, на чому зосередяться переговори України, США та Росії в Абу-Дабі – UNIAN).

What the talks are meant to produce

Lavrov also said the Abu Dhabi meeting is expected to agree principles to be approved at the end of negotiations on a full settlement of the war in Ukraine. He said the process was launched at the request of US President Donald Trump, whose negotiators proposed placing collective security at the top of the agenda.

Date and format

The trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the United States and Russia is scheduled for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on November 10–11.

Reaction

The remarks were made in an interview with Russian state-aligned media outlets. Lavrov's comments were reported in the context of Rubio's earlier statement on security guarantees for Ukraine remaining among the main issues.