From Brussels to Abu Dhabi: US, Europe and Ukraine align positions ahead of talks with Russia

Representatives of Ukraine, the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, NATO and the World Bank are meeting on Wednesday, November 4, at the European Commission's headquarters in Brussels. The meeting was confirmed by Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho, who said the EU is represented at the level of "senior officials," meaning national security advisers.

According to Pinho, the meeting builds on earlier talks in Miami and focuses on Ukraine's post-war reconstruction and prosperity. Special envoy Steve Witkoff said US negotiators would discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe's post-war security architecture and economic opportunities for reconstruction. The Commission did not confirm the participation of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Abu Dhabi, November 10 and 11

Witkoff announced on X that Washington will mediate trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US on November 10 and 11 in Abu Dhabi, with the aim of a "comprehensive and lasting peace agreement." The talks will be held at working level and will cover post-war security, de-escalation, humanitarian measures and further steps toward ending the war. The US delegation is expected to be led by Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Witkoff cited "progress made in Kyiv, Oslo and St. Petersburg." He met Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on October 21, and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said at the time that Moscow was ready to resume trilateral talks around November 10.

The Kremlin has not confirmed the exact date, but said earlier that the meeting was expected in Abu Dhabi after the US elections on November 3.