Zelensky calls first day of Abu Dhabi talks with US and Russia 'constructive'

In brief

• Zelensky described the first day of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi with the US and Russia as constructive and substantive.
• The sides discussed humanitarian steps, prisoner releases and security guarantees for Ukraine.
• The official meeting lasted about four and a half hours, with talks expected to resume on November 11.

Constructive tone, difficult counterpart

Zelensky said the trilateral format was constructive and fairly substantive, and that the sides had time to discuss the need for humanitarian steps and their possible parameters (Зеленский дал оценку переговорам в Абу-Даби – Charter 97) (Зеленський назвав переговори в Абу-Дабі конструктивними – Українська правда). He called the release of prisoners a priority (Зеленский назвал первый день трехсторонних переговоров конструктивным – Reform.news). In a separate remark made during a discussion at the University of Copenhagen, he said that talks with the Russian side were hard going.

Security guarantees on the agenda

According to Zelensky, the parties went into detail on the content of security guarantees for Ukraine and on the foundations for keeping them in force over the long term. He said real tools were needed to prevent any return to war (Зеленский назвал переговоры с США и Россией в Абу-Даби «конструктивными» и «достаточно содержательными» – TV Rain). De-escalation measures were also raised, according to his account (Зустріч в Абу-Дабі про мир: Зеленський підсумував перший день переговорів – TSN).

Talks in Abu Dhabi

The day opened with a conversation between Ukraine and its European and American partners, followed by the trilateral session. The official meeting between the US, Ukrainian and Russian teams lasted about four and a half hours, and the sides were expected to resume dialogue on November 11 (В Абу-Дабі завершився перший день тристоронніх переговорів: що відомо про результати – UNIAN). Ukrainian intelligence confirmed the end of the first day's official session.

Reaction from Washington

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the trilateral talks as very productive, while adding that much work remained ahead. A special envoy for President Trump, Jared Kushner, who attended the meeting, said Putin was ready for peace in Ukraine under certain conditions.

What comes next

Zelensky said he had given the Ukrainian team specific tasks for the next stage of dialogue, both in the trilateral format and in contacts with US and European representatives in the coming days. Further talks are expected to continue the following day.

Read also

• Trilateral Abu Dhabi talks on Ukraine open 10 November with higher-level Russian delegation
• Ukraine, Russia and US Begin Talks in Abu Dhabi After Four and a Half Hours of Negotiations on Day One
• Zelensky says Russia appears serious about Abu Dhabi trilateral talks, with US role key