The United States will host trilateral negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi next week, US envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed. The discussions aim to address de-escalation, post-war security agreements, humanitarian measures, and the broader goal of ending the conflict. Witkoff shared the announcement on social media, outlining the specific agenda items for the upcoming meeting.
Abu Dhabi peace talks agenda
Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, are expected to represent the United States at the talks. The meeting follows a previous encounter between Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg two weeks ago, where Putin agreed to a new round of negotiations. These talks mark the first US-mediated trilateral peace discussions since February, before the US and Israel launched operations against Iran.
Ukraine and Russia remain significantly divided on the terms of any potential peace deal. In parallel with the Abu Dhabi preparations, US negotiators are scheduled to meet with representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the European Union, and NATO in Brussels this week. These separate discussions will focus on security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe’s post-war security architecture, and economic opportunities to support Ukraine’s reconstruction.
European force exercises in Poland
Meanwhile, approximately 2,800 troops from ten European nations will conduct military exercises in Poland this month. The drills, led by France and the United Kingdom, serve as the first test of the Multinational Force, Ukraine (MNF-U). The force is designed to support Ukraine only after a ceasefire is agreed upon, with no offensive mission.
The exercises, scheduled from November 9 to 22 in south-east Poland near the Ukrainian border, will test the speed and efficiency of deploying forces across land, sea, and air. UK Defence Minister Wes Streeting stated that the exercise demonstrates a real force ready to assist Ukraine once hostilities cease. The French defence ministry emphasized that this is not a hypothetical plan but a tangible capability.
Ongoing violence and humanitarian challenges
Despite diplomatic efforts, violence continues on the ground. On Monday, Russian forces bombed a school in the Zaporizhzhia region that was being used as an aid distribution point. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that 26 people were killed in the strike. He described the attack as a “vile terrorist strike,” noting that the first bombs hit as people arrived, followed by a second wave targeting the shelter.
Ukraine has also accused Russia of exploiting a recent US-backed humanitarian ceasefire in the Kherson region to strengthen its military position. While nearly 800 people were evacuated from the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, Kyiv’s general staff reported that Russian forces used the pause to rotate troops and improve logistics. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed these claims, stating that adjusting positions during a ceasefire is standard practice for both sides.
Additionally, unknown hackers targeted Ukraine’s nationwide emergency alert app, sending false warnings of an imminent nuclear strike and chemical threat to residents in Kyiv. The incident caused brief panic among civilians, highlighting the ongoing cyber threats facing Ukraine’s infrastructure.
Source: The Guardian
