U.S. to mediate Ukraine-Russia working-level talks in November, envoy says
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff announced that American diplomats will facilitate working-level talks between Ukraine and Russia on Nov. 10-11 in Abu Dhabi and will meet European and NATO partners to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.
The United States will host working-level talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials on Nov. 10 and 11 in Abu Dhabi, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said on X. The meetings are expected to address post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian issues and steps toward a peace settlement.
Witkoff added that American negotiators will meet this week with representatives from European allies and NATO, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom, to discuss future security guarantees for Ukraine, a recurring demand of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"We look forward to building on the progress made in Kyiv, Oslo, and St. Petersburg toward a comprehensive, durable peace agreement that delivers lasting security for generations to come," Witkoff said.
The talks will be conducted at the working level, meaning they will involve technocrats rather than senior political leaders. They follow a short cease-fire in the southern Kherson region that allowed limited humanitarian aid and evacuations.
The cease-fire, which both sides attributed to diplomatic efforts by U.S. first lady Melania Trump and Pope Francis, ended on Sunday. Russian forces have continued strikes across Ukraine, including attacks that killed at least 29 people in Zaporizhzhia and wounded 25 in a medical facility in Kharkiv. The Russian defense ministry reported a large-scale strike on energy and port infrastructure, while Moscow’s mayor said 500 Ukrainian drones heading toward the capital were intercepted.