Russia, Ukraine and the United States have confirmed plans to hold another round of peace talks in November. The meetings are expected to take place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, as efforts continue to find a way to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that the talks were planned for the first half of November. He confirmed that the meeting would include representatives from all three countries.
The announcement followed a visit by US special envoy Steve Witkoff to St Petersburg, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed that discussions were expected to resume. Speaking to the Hudson Institute think tank on Friday, he said he had spoken with Witkoff after the envoy’s meeting with Putin.
Zelenskyy said technical talks would take place in the first half of November, preferably as early as possible. However, he warned that progress would depend on Russia, noting that a similar meeting expected earlier in October did not happen.
Previous Talks Made Little Progress
Earlier US-led negotiations between Russia and Ukraine failed to produce major progress. The talks later stalled as the administration of US President Donald Trump focused on the conflict with Iran.
The planned November meeting offers another chance for the three countries to discuss a possible settlement. Yet major disagreements remain, and expectations for a breakthrough are limited.
Russia has maintained demands that Ukraine surrender large areas of territory and agree not to join NATO. Kyiv has rejected terms that would weaken its sovereignty or leave the country exposed to future attacks.
In a televised interview aired late on Thursday, Putin said any trilateral talks should focus on long-term security arrangements as part of a final peace agreement. He said the goal should not be a short-term truce.
The difference in positions remains a major obstacle. Russia wants a settlement that addresses its security demands, while Ukraine is seeking guarantees that would prevent another invasion.
Ukraine Seeks Long-Term Security Guarantees
Zelenskyy has said any peace deal must include strong security guarantees for Ukraine. He also called for funding to maintain the Ukrainian army for 10 years.
Kyiv argues that lasting peace will require more than an agreement to stop fighting. It wants support to defend its territory and reduce the risk of another Russian attack.
The Ukrainian president has also called for European countries to take part in the negotiations. Their involvement, he argues, would be important because European nations have provided military and financial support to Ukraine throughout the war.
The upcoming talks come amid growing strain between Kyiv and parts of the US government. Trump has criticised Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and has pursued diplomatic steps that have drawn concern from some European leaders.
The White House also said on Friday that First Lady Melania Trump helped secure a local ceasefire between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the southern city of Oleshky. Russia has occupied the city since February 2022.
US Policy and Military Support Remain Issues
The wider relationship between Washington and Kyiv has faced pressure over military support, intelligence and access to satellite communications.
Ukraine has reported problems with Starlink services and access to important intelligence, despite US assurances that restrictions on satellite service speeds had been removed. Zelenskyy has also said Ukraine is waiting for promised air defence interceptors.
These issues are important as Russian forces continue to launch drone and missile attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Ukraine’s acting prosecutor general, Anton Kovalsky, said on Friday that Russian attacks had killed more than 19,000 Ukrainian civilians since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The figure included 762 children, according to his statement.
He added that prosecutors had confirmed 2,960 civilian deaths so far this year, including 668 children.
Russia and Ukraine Exchange Prisoners
Despite the lack of progress toward a wider peace agreement, the two countries have continued to maintain contact through prisoner exchanges.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence said on Friday that Moscow and Kyiv had each exchanged 270 prisoners of war. Russian state media reported that the released Russian servicemen were in Belarus and would return home after receiving medical and psychological assistance.
Prisoner swaps have remained one of the few areas where both sides have reached agreements since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Thousands of prisoners have been exchanged during the conflict.
The planned November talks will test whether renewed diplomatic contact can lead to progress on the wider war. For now, major disputes over territory, NATO membership and security guarantees remain unresolved. The timing and outcome of the negotiations will depend on whether Moscow, Kyiv and Washington can find terms that all sides are willing to discuss.
