Today, November 10, is the day of the thaw. Or at least yet another attempt. Negotiations between Kiev and Moscow resume in Abu Dhabi, under US mediation, after more than eight months of interruption. There are also European representatives, including Italy. The two-day session focuses on safety assurances.
Who’s at the table?
The Americans Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are present in Abu Dhabi; the Ukrainian Rustem Umerov; the head of the Russian delegation Vladimir Medinsky; the French diplomat Emmanuel Bonne; the German Gunter Sautter; UK National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell; Giorgia Meloni’s diplomatic advisor, Fabrizio Saggio; the heads of cabinet of Ursula von der Leyen (EU commission), Bjoern Seibert; by Antonio Costa (EU council), Anna-Maria Boura; and Mark Rutte (Nato), Geoffrey Van Leeuwen.
The works
“We have started our work in the United Arab Emirates. The first meeting will be held with representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission, who will be joined by US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner”, explained Umerov, who posted a photo of the meeting on social media.
“We will align our positions and coordinate our actions in view of the next phase of negotiations. A trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia will follow. The Ukrainian delegation, of which I am part, includes Kyrylo Budanov, Davyd Arakhamia, Serhii Kyslytsia and Vadym Skibitskyi – he added – Our key priorities are to end hostilities, obtain reliable security guarantees for the post-conflict period, ensure recovery and economic development of Ukraine and promote humanitarian initiatives. We are working to make the greatest possible progress on these fronts and bring peace closer.”
We have begun our work in the United Arab Emirates.
The first meeting will be held with representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission, joined by US Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. We will align our positions and coordinate our steps ahead of the next stage of negotiations.
This will be followed by a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia.
The Ukrainian delegation, alongside me, includes Kyrylo Budanov, Davyd Arakhamia, Serhii Kyslytsia and Vadym Skibitskyi.
Our key priorities are to end hostilities, secure reliable post-war security guarantees, ensure Ukraine’s economic recovery and development, and advance humanitarian efforts.
We are working to make as much progress as possible on these issues and bring peace closer.
— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) November 10, 2026
An issue that remains in the field is that of territories. “Participants stressed that any future agreement must respect sovereignty, territorial integrity and decision-making autonomy, as well as provide credible security guarantees for Ukraine,” US special envoy Steve Witkoff said on X.
Statement on Meeting Between the United States, Ukraine, and European Partners:
Ahead of the upcoming trilateral discussions with Russia, representatives of the United States, Ukraine, and European partners put to continue their close coordination on efforts to end the war in Ukraine and establish the conditions for a durable peace, including support for robust security guarantees as part of any settlement.
Discussions took place collaboratively between the United States, Ukraine, and European partners, reflecting their shared objectives, ongoing consultations, and commitment to Euro-Atlantic security. Participants emphasized that any future arrangements must respect sovereignty, territorial integrity, independent decision-making, and provide credible security guarantees for Ukraine.
The shared objective is to develop a practical and mutually reinforcing security framework that strengthens Ukraine’s long-term security and builds the confidence necessary to reach a negotiated settlement.
Alongside a central focus on a lasting peace, the discussion covered how to build upon existing European security institutions and agreements following the conclusion of the war in Ukraine. Participants further recognized that addressing post-war security concerns and reducing the risk of conflict are essential. They discussed how to ensure strong mechanisms for managing risk and avoiding dangerous escalation. The participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to a strong post-war European security architecture and arrangements, and were clear that a strong NATO will remain central to Euro-Atlantic collective defense.
The United States, Ukraine, and European partners will continue working in close partnership throughout the negotiating process, with the shared objective of moving toward broader multilateral discussions involving European partners and achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace.
— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) November 10, 2026
The presence of Italy
The negotiations on Ukraine “increasingly affect the security of the entire continent. Many elements of an overall agreement depend on European decisions: security guarantees, reconstruction, sanctions and Ukraine’s European path. For this reason, Europe must speak with one voice and equip itself with a clear and shared mandate”. This is what Palazzo Chigi sources commented after the start of the talks in Abu Dhabi.
This is, the same sources explain, what Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked for in the letter addressed to President Antonio Costa: to discuss the topic at the informal European Council in Dublin, to arrive at a decision at the European Council in December. Palazzo Chigi welcomes Costa’s willingness to follow up on the request and take the matter forward.
The premises
“There has been progress on the security architecture of Ukraine and Europe since the war, and this week’s talks could bring more,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said only yesterday.
A fundamental question, Rubio explained, is “what will be the post-conflict security architecture of Ukraine and, more generally, of the European continent.”
On Thursday, Trump promised a “very important” deal with Russia over Ukraine, which “could involve all of Europe”, raising fears among Europeans and Ukrainians about an agreement negotiated behind their backs. “Nothing has been decided yet – Rubio specified -. Perhaps progress can be made in Abu Dhabi”.