Kremlin Names Medinsky to Lead Russian Delegation as Merz Presses Moscow to Prove It Seeks a Ceasefire at Abu Dhabi Talks
Russia confirmed on Tuesday that it will join three-way talks with Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Moscow must show it is ready for a ceasefire and a peace agreement.
Russia will hold three-way peace talks with Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi from November 10-11, the Kremlin confirmed on Tuesday. Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, will serve as Moscow’s chief negotiator at the talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call, according to Reuters.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said on Monday that the United States would bring together delegations from Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi next week to discuss post-war security agreements and de-escalation. The last U.S.-mediated peace talks took place in February, before the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran, Reuters reported.
Merz: Europe must be part of the process
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the new round of talks was the right step to help bring fighting to an end, as he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Berlin on Tuesday. Merz said it was essential that Europe be part of the process.
“But I would also say it is important for Russia to finally engage in serious negotiations on a ceasefire and a subsequent peace agreement. I have not seen any sign of this so far,” Merz told reporters.
Zelenskiy said the meeting in Abu Dhabi, on November 10 and 11, is expected to discuss security guarantees, an “energy ceasefire” and a truce in the Black Sea to guarantee food exports. Merz said any lasting agreement would need to involve European countries, which have so far been largely shut out of efforts led by Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
What the talks are expected to cover
Merz said Germany, the country currently making the largest contribution to supporting Ukraine, would continue its military support. “We are doing this in our own interests, in the interests of Europe, and in the interests of a stable political order in Europe,” he said.
Looking ahead to a December meeting of leaders from the Group of 20 countries in Miami, Merz said Zelenskiy should also be present if U.S. President Donald Trump invited Putin. “In my view, it is completely unacceptable for third countries to discuss Ukraine’s future without involving Ukraine itself,” Merz said.
Reporting based on coverage by Reuters.
