Witkoff and Kushner to Lead US Delegation for Abu Dhabi Ukraine Talks
US envoys will meet Ukrainian and Russian representatives on November 10 to negotiate post-war security guarantees and humanitarian measures.
By Jenna Mitchell ·
American negotiators will travel to the United Arab Emirates next week to conduct the third round of trilateral peace discussions between Ukraine and Russia. US envoy Steve Witkoff announced the schedule on social media on Monday, confirming that the meeting is set for November 10. He stated that the agenda will address security frameworks for the post-conflict era, along with immediate steps for de-escalation and humanitarian aid.
The diplomatic push follows a meeting between Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg two weeks ago. During that encounter, Putin agreed to continue the trilateral format. While Washington mediates, Kyiv and Moscow maintain differing views on the core terms of a potential settlement. The previous trilateral session took place in February, occurring just before the US and Israel initiated military operations against Iran.
Ahead of the Abu Dhabi session, US officials will hold preparatory talks in Brussels this week. Witkoff indicated that these consultations will involve representatives from Britain, France, Germany, the European Union, and NATO. The group intends to finalize proposals regarding Ukraine’s long-term security guarantees and the structure of European defense arrangements once the war concludes. Economic strategies to support Ukraine’s reconstruction will also be on the table.
Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, is expected to join Witkoff in representing the United States at the Gulf city meetings. A senior US official confirmed to Reuters that both men would lead the American delegation. Their presence signals the high level of attention the administration places on the negotiations.
The diplomatic timeline overlaps with ongoing military and logistical developments on the ground. Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian forces bombed a village school in the Zaporizhzhia region on Monday. The building was serving as an aid distribution center, and emergency services confirmed that 26 people were killed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as occurring in two phases, with initial aerial bombs striking as residents arrived, followed by a second strike on a shelter.
Simultaneously, Britain and France announced the start of a multinational military exercise designed to test the readiness of a support force for Ukraine. Approximately 2,800 troops from 10 European nations will participate in drills in southeastern Poland from November 9 to 22. The exercise aims to evaluate the speed and efficiency of deployments by land, sea, and air. British Defence Minister Wes Streeting stated that the force is prepared to assist Ukraine once a ceasefire holds, noting that the unit has no offensive mandate.
In southern Kherson, the US reported that nearly 800 people were evacuated from the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky during a six-day humanitarian pause. While both sides described the ceasefire as successful, the Ukrainian general staff accused Russian troops of using the window to rotate personnel and improve logistics. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described such adjustments as standard practice, suggesting Ukraine likely engaged in similar activities.
