In a Reuters account of the run-up to Nov. 10–11 talks in Abu Dhabi, an unnamed U.S. official put security arrangements and other matters ahead of any likely territorial accord.
Reuters reported that Russia and Ukraine had privately shown room to discuss a possible territorial exchange. Anadolu Agency separately quoted an unnamed U.S. official describing limited private flexibility over Donetsk, while saying the parties’ public positions had not changed. Neither report detailed possible terms.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said working-level negotiations would cover postwar security, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts and next steps toward peace. Reuters reported that security guarantees for Ukraine, potentially including a NATO-style Article 5 defense, were expected to be a major topic.
Ukraine’s presidential office said Nov. 9 that its delegation had arrived in the United Arab Emirates. It said the team planned to propose de-escalation steps and discuss how to arrange a leaders-level meeting involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia. The readout emphasized de-escalation and said Ukraine needed security guarantees and resources for reconstruction; it did not identify guarantees as an agenda item or mention territorial concessions. The announcement follows EconoTimes’ earlier coverage of Ukraine’s call for team talks before leaders discuss territory.
The Associated Press said the Abu Dhabi meeting would be the first trilateral round since February. AP said earlier negotiations had not produced clear progress toward ending the war. It described the sides’ public demands as far apart: Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought Ukrainian troop withdrawals from four regions Moscow annexed but has not brought fully under its control. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected territorial concessions and limits on Ukraine’s military, AP reported.
The working-level meetings are scheduled for Nov. 10–11 in Abu Dhabi.
