Russia and Ukraine hold first U.S.-brokered talks since February

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for their first U.S.-brokered talks since February, with U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff leading. Kushner said recent contacts had "narrowed the gaps," but there was no breakthrough and major differences remain, Reuters reports. AFP reports the talks were set to resume Wednesday.

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Why it matters

These are the first U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine since February. The two sides still disagree on what comes first: Ukraine wants a ceasefire and security guarantees, while Russia wants a broader European security framework defined before terms to end the war.

What to watch

The talks in Abu Dhabi were set to resume Wednesday, November 11.

How each side sees it

The U.S. saysKushner said the sides had "narrowed the gaps" and the U.S. has "some good ideas" to bridge them; Washington called for a new European security framework.

Ukraine saysChief negotiator Rustem Umerov says Kyiv's priorities are a ceasefire and security guarantees; President Zelenskyy has rejected giving up territory his forces hold.

Russia saysForeign Minister Sergei Lavrov says a European security framework should be defined before terms to end the war, and he rejected a truce.

Sources

Checked against 3 established news sources:

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Published Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Spot an error? Email [email protected]. See our corrections log and standards.