High-stakes US-mediated negotiations aimed at ending more than four years of war between Russia and Ukraine got under way in Abu Dhabi, as Washington pressed for a “new” security framework and European capitals watched nervously amid fears President Donald Trump could strike a sweeping deal with Moscow over the continent’s future.
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were seated opposite one another, with Mr Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and his business partner Steve Witkoff positioned at the head of the table.
Ukraine’s delegation — led by intelligence chief Rustem Umerov — held meetings ahead of the talks with the US envoys as well as European and NATO officials.
Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine has killed hundreds of thousands.
With another winter of fighting looming, Ukraine and its European allies worry Washington could push Kyiv toward accepting what would amount to a de facto defeat.
Mr Trump has also floated the idea of reaching an understanding with Russia that would redraw Europe’s post-war security arrangements.
As discussions began, Mr Kushner said the United States wanted to “create the right security relationships between Ukraine and Russia and Europe so that not only we end this war, we create a new framework and a new understanding” that would secure “decades, if not centuries, of peace”.
He acknowledged there were a “lot of intense emotions” in Ukraine, Russia and Europe.
Before launching its 2022 invasion, Moscow demanded NATO pull back troops from eastern Europe and throughout the conflict has repeatedly aired its grievances toward the West.
In a notable shift, Russia’s delegation for the first time includes a diplomat, Sergei Ryabkov, who had delivered an ultimatum to the West on rewriting European security before the war began.
Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine’s leverage in the talks was increasing
‘Merely one item’
Heading Moscow’s team, President Vladimir Putin’s nationalistic aide Vladimir Medinsky said he hoped Russia’s “bigger and more professional” delegation would “enable us to move forwards on the path towards peace”.
A source on the Russian side earlier signalled broader ambitions, saying that “the Ukrainian settlement, whilst a critically important issue, is merely one item on the agenda” of the talks.
The source said the central goal was “the creation of a comprehensive and indivisible security architecture for the entire continent”.
NATO’s top general in Europe, Alexus Grynkewich, is also participating.
In a joint statement, European representatives, Ukraine, the US and NATO said they convened before engaging Russia, reaffirming their “shared commitment to a strong post-war European security architecture”.
European leaders have been rattled by Mr Trump’s plans, and the EU said on the eve of the talks that “meaningful” security discussions could only happen after a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Mr Putin has rejected broader ceasefires and face-to-face negotiations with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, insisting his forces will continue to try to seize more territory.
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‘Our people waiting’
Mr Umerov, Kyiv’s chief negotiator, said Ukraine was still focused on securing a ceasefire.
“Our people are waiting to end this war,” he said.
The meetings come as Ukraine has escalated its strikes on Russian oil refineries in recent weeks
Ukraine has held back Russia’s invasion at immense human cost, with thousands of civilians killed and millions forced from their homes.
“We hope that we will achieve a lasting peace for Ukraine,” Mr Umerov said, adding that Kyiv wanted to discuss “security guarantees”.
Distrust of Mr Trump’s intentions runs deep in Ukraine, where the US president is seen as tilting toward Moscow this year, signing a diesel deal with Mr Putin and criticising Mr Zelensky.
Mr Trump suggested ahead of the negotiations that Ukraine could be compelled to cede territory, saying: “They’re going to end up with a little bit different shape, Ukraine.”
Russia controls large areas of Ukraine and, although its troops have edged westward, they have been unable to capture all of the Donetsk region.
Moscow is demanding Kyiv hand over the parts of the region it still holds, warning it will otherwise keep pushing its offensive.
Russia intensified attacks ahead of the talks and carried out one of its deadliest strikes so far — with Kyiv saying 55 people were killed in a frontline village as they lined up for humanitarian aid.
No ‘particular expectations’
Mr Zelensky said the ramped-up strikes were part of Moscow’s strategy of “putting pressure on Ukraine’s position” at the negotiating table.
Ukraine’s military said Russia fired 162 drones and one ballistic missile overnight.
Mr Kushner and Mr Witkoff have brought the warring sides into the same talks for the first time since February, when negotiations were held in Geneva.
After several rounds of unsuccessful diplomacy over nearly five years of war, expectations for a breakthrough remain muted.
“We don’t have any particular expectations,” a senior Ukrainian official in Kyiv told AFP.
Zelensky holds security talks with Nordic leaders
Denmark said it was hosting discussions between Mr Zelensky and Nordic leaders focused on military support, air defence and safeguarding energy infrastructure.
Police officers secure the area close to the Danish Foreign Office in Copenhagen, Denmark
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Denmark planned to donate 4.8 billion kroner (€641 million) in military aid to Ukraine.
Mr Rasmussen told reporters that another 150 million kroner (€14m) would go to Ukraine’s energy sector.
“I am proud to welcome President Zelensky and the Nordic leaders to Denmark. The Ukrainians’ fight for a free Ukraine and a free Europe continues,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, along with Norwegian and Finnish counterparts Jonas Gahr Store and Petteri Orpo, were also due to travel to Copenhagen.
Copenhagen police said security would be heightened in the coming days and announced a ban on drone use over the capital until 12 November.
