In brief
Three nations march toward a second day of negotiations in Abu Dhabi. U.S. optimism clashes with Russian caution, while European involvement remains uncertain. A brief ceasefire in Oleshky hints at limited cooperation, and the Kremlin insists the meeting stays three‑way.
Russia, Ukraine and the United States are preparing for a second day of talks in Abu Dhabi on Monday, 9 November 2026, following a brief pause after an earlier round in February, according to Xinhua.
U.S. President Donald Trump met Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Washington on 5 November and said the meeting could yield a “big, beautiful agreement” that might involve all of Europe, the outlet quotes, echoing Trump’s optimism.
“I am confident the talks will result in a big, beautiful agreement,” Trump said during the Washington visit.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Moscow does not plan to halt combat operations before the trilateral talks, stating that claims for a ceasefire were premature, according to Xinhua.
Russia’s delegation will again be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War said Medinsky used his role in February 2026 to stall the Geneva talks by focusing on the war’s historical roots, indicating that good‑faith negotiations are not yet on the table, according to Xinhua.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the talks will cover security guarantees, de‑escalation in the Black Sea, the energy sector, prisoner exchanges and preparation for an upcoming leaders’ meeting, per Xinhua.
Ukrainian expert Andriy Veselovsky cautioned that the talks are unlikely to bring immediate results, but could be a chance to win support from the U.S., according to Ukrinform news agency via Xinhua.
A brief ceasefire in Oleshky showed limited humanitarian cooperation, Xinhua reported, but the impact remains unclear.
In a separate statement, the Kremlin said the upcoming Abu Dhabi talks would remain a Ukraine‑Russia‑US format, as reported by Arab News.
