US announces Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi

In a post on X reported by Fox News, Witkoff said the working-level discussions would focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts and steps towards peace.

The talks would mark a resumption of three-way negotiations last held in February. Representatives of the three countries met twice in Abu Dhabi and once in Geneva early this year, with little reported progress beyond prisoner exchanges. Ukraine and Russia remain far apart on the terms of a possible peace deal, Reuters reported.

A senior US official told Reuters that Witkoff and fellow US negotiator Jared Kushner were expected to represent Washington in Abu Dhabi.

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to resume the talks after meeting Witkoff in St Petersburg on 21 October. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy supported a swift restart, while noting that previous plans for meetings had been cancelled.

Witkoff also said American negotiators would meet representatives from France, Germany, Britain, the EU and Nato in Brussels ahead of the Abu Dhabi talks. Their discussions would cover security guarantees for Ukraine, European security and support for Ukraine’s reconstruction.