Abu Dhabi Talks Cover Security Guarantees for Russia

Security guarantees for Russia were discussed alongside protections for Ukraine and Europe during trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, Nov. 10, according to a source close to the Ukrainian delegation.Ukrainska Pravda reported that the opening round focused primarily on security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe as a whole. Moscow’s demands for guarantees of its own were considered separately, the source said.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.Negotiators also discussed Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction and the development of a new European security framework amid a crisis of trust.Kyiv’s central position was that ending the war must come before efforts to establish that wider framework.“The key position of the Ukrainian side is that the war must first be stopped. Only then will it be possible to move on to the formation of a new security architecture in Europe, one that should ensure long-term stability and prevent a recurrence of aggression,” the source told Ukrainska Pravda.The report did not detail Russia’s specific demands or announce an agreement on guarantees for Moscow.Kyiv and Europe insist the war must stop firstPresident Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that trilateral negotiations had begun following a call with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. He said a meeting with European representatives had also taken place.Ukraine and its partners were working toward de-escalation, effective security guarantees, and genuine peace, Zelensky said, adding that Russia needed to demonstrate the same approach. Other Topics of Interest Exclusive: Russia Preparing Strikes on Ukraine’s Food Industry, Intel Source Says Planned Russian targets include grain storage sites, vegetable oil plants, dairies and meat processors, a military intelligence source told Kyiv Post exclusively. He expected a detailed briefing from Ukraine’s negotiating team and its partners later on Tuesday.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had also called for a ceasefire before broader security talks.Speaking in Bucharest on Monday, Nov. 9, she said meaningful discussions about Europe’s security architecture could begin only once a ceasefire in Ukraine had been achieved. Any such negotiations must involve NATO allies and EU member states, she added.US and European partners set out their prioritiesBefore meeting Russia, Ukrainian negotiators coordinated their positions with representatives of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, NATO, and the European Commission.US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also joined the consultations.Witkoff said afterward that any future settlement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independent decision-making while providing reliable security guarantees.Participants discussed mechanisms to manage security risks and prevent dangerous escalation after the war. They also reaffirmed that a strong NATO would remain central to collective defense in the Euro-Atlantic region.The consultations were separate from the main negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the US. European representatives were coordinating with Kyiv and Washington rather than participating directly in the trilateral format.Talks extend to reconstruction and Europe’s securityThe two-day negotiations, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, are the first trilateral round since February.Ukraine’s delegation is led by foreign intelligence chief Rustem Umerov, while Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky heads Russia’s team.The wider agenda covers 4 main areas: ending hostilities, establishing reliable postwar security guarantees, supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery, and addressing humanitarian issues.Ukrainian delegation member Davyd Arakhamia said Kyiv did not expect an immediate breakthrough during the opening round but had expectations for subsequent meetings.The discussions follow US President Donald Trump’s promotion of a broader European settlement.Kushner’s outline envisaged standing security consultations, crisis communication channels, greater military transparency, and measures to reduce escalation risks.However, European officials and Zelensky had expressed concern about the lack of concrete details. European partners have insisted that any new framework must complement NATO’s existing protections rather than weaken collective defense. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.