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The United States will bring Ukraine and Russia back to the negotiating table in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced on Monday.
"Discussions will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace," Witkoff wrote on X.
The meeting marks a renewed push for direct trilateral negotiations after diplomatic efforts stalled earlier this year amid the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to resume talks following a meeting with Witkoff in St. Petersburg about two weeks ago.
Despite the renewed diplomatic push, Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on the terms of a potential settlement, particularly over occupied territory and Ukraine's security after the war.
Russia has demanded control over Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed and has sought restrictions on Ukraine's military capabilities and its ambitions to join NATO. Ukraine has rejected territorial concessions and called for firm security guarantees to deter future Russian attacks, according to Axios.
The two sides also disagree over a ceasefire. Ukraine has pushed for a halt to fighting along the current front line, while Moscow has resisted a ceasefire before a broader settlement is reached.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed that any agreement must include credible security guarantees, while Russian officials have continued to press their demands over territory and Ukraine's future military alignment.
Before the Abu Dhabi meeting, U.S. negotiators will hold working-level discussions in Brussels this week with representatives from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union and NATO.
The talks will focus on security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe's future security framework and economic support for Ukraine's reconstruction. The discussions are intended to coordinate Western positions on Ukraine's post-war security and recovery, according to Witkoff's announcement.
Witkoff said Washington hopes to build on diplomatic contacts in Kyiv, Oslo and St. Petersburg to secure a lasting agreement.
"We look forward to building on the progress made in Kyiv, Oslo and St. Petersburg toward a comprehensive, durable peace agreement that delivers lasting security for generations to come," he wrote.
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