Ukraine, Russia and US Conclude Constructive First Day of Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi

OPA WIRE, Nov 10 (OPA) — The first of two days of trilateral negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine wrapped up in Abu Dhabi following four hours of discussions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking from Kyiv, stated that the meetings proved constructive and substantive, addressing humanitarian issues including prisoner-of-war exchanges. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the assessment during a visit to Paris, calling the meetings very productive.

US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, told delegates at the start of the session that Washington had narrowed the gaps between the opposing sides. Kushner and US peace envoy Steve Witkoff also held sideline meetings with Ukrainian, European, and NATO officials to address postwar security concerns. European leaders pushed for inclusion amid fears of being sidelined on continental security, with Rubio acknowledging that European nations must be part of any long-term solution.

Moscow and Kyiv remain heavily divided over territorial control, particularly regarding the largely Russian-occupied eastern region of Donetsk. Russia demands that Ukraine surrender remaining portions of Donetsk, while Kyiv seeks to freeze the current contact line. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rejected proposals for an unconditional ceasefire, arguing it would simply allow Kyiv to regroup. Despite public inflexibility, US officials reported that both sides showed private flexibility regarding territorial control dependent on the final post-war security architecture.

The discussions also touched upon broader regional security frameworks, including potential crisis communications hotlines and the reactivation of the NATO-Russia Council. Meanwhile, Russian bombardments against Ukrainian energy infrastructure continued away from the negotiating table. Previous talks held in Geneva in February ended without a breakthrough, and expectations for a comprehensive settlement remain low as military operations persist.