Russia Ukraine peace talks resumed in Abu Dhabi on 10 November 2026, with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner mediating. It is the first three-way meeting between Russia, Ukraine and the United States since February, and the second day of talks is under way on Wednesday.
Both sides called the first day positive, but neither has moved on its core demands. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a breakthrough will take time.
What happened on day one
The first session lasted about four hours. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it “constructive and quite substantive”, though he did not attend.
According to Zelenskyy, the talks focused on:
- Humanitarian issues: prisoner exchanges and the return of Ukrainian civilians and children taken to Russia
- Security guarantees for Ukraine after the war
- A large-scale prisoner swap, which a senior Ukrainian official said was discussed, with details to follow
Kushner said the US is working on a new security framework for Europe and that there were good ideas to bridge the gaps. Ukrainian media reported that day two would cover a possible ceasefire, energy and Black Sea security.
Who is at the table
| Delegation | Key members |
|---|---|
| Russia | Vladimir Medinsky (chief negotiator, Putin aide), deputy foreign ministers Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin, military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov |
| Ukraine | Rustem Umerov (head of Foreign Intelligence Service), Kyrylo Budanov |
| United States | Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner; NATO commander Gen. Alexus Grynkewich also attended |
| Host | UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
European officials from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission met the Ukrainian team separately. Russia objects to Europe joining the three-way talks but says EU representatives could join later.
What Russia and Ukraine want
The gap between the two sides remains wide, especially on territory.
| Issue | Russia’s position | Ukraine’s position |
|---|---|---|
| Territory | Ukraine must withdraw from four regions Russia annexed in 2022 | Will not give up any land voluntarily |
| NATO | Ukraine must drop its NATO bid | Wants Western security guarantees |
| Military | Strict limits on Ukraine’s armed forces | Rejects any limits |
| Ceasefire | Only a full peace deal; a ceasefire would let Ukraine rearm | Wants an immediate ceasefire first |
| Leaders’ meeting | Putin has rejected meeting Zelenskyy | Says only a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting can settle territory |
Russia also holds Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
The fighting has not stopped
The talks are taking place alongside heavy strikes. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 162 drones and a ballistic missile on the eve of the talks. Before day two, Russia said it shot down 627 Ukrainian drones overnight, and a fire broke out at Russia’s Ust-Luga oil export port.
The front lines are largely deadlocked as winter approaches, and Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s power grid.
Where India fits in: the Black Sea food corridor
India is running a parallel diplomatic track. On 9 November, PM Narendra Modi spoke to Zelenskyy and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 10 November that India has shared ideas with both sides in three areas:
- Safety of shipping in the Black Sea
- Grain, energy and fertiliser exports from both countries
- Ways to avoid attacks on this trade
India has also exchanged ideas on setting up food corridors. According to Zelenskyy, India is willing to mediate on the corridors.
Why it matters for India: attacks on merchant ships in July killed and injured Indian sailors. Jaishankar has argued that blocked grain, fertiliser and fuel exports hurt the Global South the most.
What happens next
- The Abu Dhabi talks end on Wednesday, 11 November.
- The prisoner swap details are expected in the coming days.
- Western media report that Witkoff and Kushner may travel to Moscow and then Kyiv after Abu Dhabi.
- Democrats take control of the US Congress in January, which could shift US policy on Ukraine.
Three earlier rounds of talks this year produced no major breakthrough. This story will be updated when the second day ends.
FAQ
Where are the Russia Ukraine peace talks being held?
In Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on 10 and 11 November 2026.
Who is mediating the talks?
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are mediating, with the UAE as host.
Has a ceasefire been agreed?
No. Ukraine wants an immediate ceasefire, but Russia says it will only accept a full peace deal. No agreement had been announced by the second day.
What are the main sticking points?
Territory is the biggest one. Russia wants Ukraine to leave four regions; Ukraine refuses to give up land. NATO membership and limits on Ukraine’s army are also disputed.
What is India’s role in the Russia-Ukraine talks?
India is not part of the Abu Dhabi talks. Separately, it has shared ideas with both sides on Black Sea shipping safety, grain and fertiliser exports, and food corridors.
Why does the Black Sea matter to India?
Ukraine and Russia export large amounts of grain and fertiliser through the Black Sea. Attacks on ships there have hit global supplies and harmed Indian sailors.
Sources and fact-check notes
- PBS / AP: Russia and Ukraine hold nearly 4 hours of talks — delegations, demands, Rubio and Zelenskyy quotes, strikes, context
- WPXI / AP: Second day of talks — day two, overnight drone numbers, Ust-Luga fire
- Business Standard: India in talks on Black Sea food corridors — MEA briefing, Modi and Jaishankar calls, three areas
- Kyiv Post: Second day begins — day-two agenda, possible envoy travel (search snippet; page not opened)
- Washington Post: Talks begin — first direct talks since February (search snippet; paywalled)