On November 10, representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States convened in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, for a day-long session, concluding the first day’s talks. The three parties held nearly five hours of closed-door discussions before resuming negotiations the following day.

Russia was represented by Presidential Assistant Medinsky, accompanied by two deputy foreign ministers, Galuzin and Ryabkov. The U.S. delegation included envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, while the UAE’s foreign minister served as host, seated between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. Ukraine was led by Dmytro Kuleba, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, who stated that President Zelenskyy had authorized the team to discuss all matters related to ending the conflict.

Notably, no European representatives were present at the main negotiation table. However, photographs released by Ukrainian media showed the U.S. delegation meeting separately with Ukrainian officials and envoys from France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and the EU—effectively aligning positions prior to formal talks. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov responded sharply, saying, “Europeans flew to Abu Dhabi—let them sit in their hotels,” accusing Europe of attempting to delay proceedings on behalf of Kyiv. He also insisted that security boundaries involving Russia, Ukraine, and the broader European region must be established before any discussion on resolving the conflict could proceed.

At the opening session, Medinsky expressed gratitude to the UAE for hosting and acknowledged U.S. efforts toward peace, stating hope that the restructured Russian delegation could advance the diplomatic process. The UAE foreign minister reciprocated, thanking Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy for placing trust in the host nation.

What is most significant is not what was discussed, but who participated—and who did not.

First, the composition: Russia sent Medinsky, a senior presidential aide previously leading Russian negotiations in Istanbul, indicating Moscow treats this channel as a serious diplomatic avenue. The U.S. delegation included Witkoff, the Middle East envoy, and Kushner, a close confidant of Trump—both figures with direct access to the White House, signaling Washington’s intent to bypass traditional diplomatic hierarchies in favor of personal trust networks. Ukraine dispatched its intelligence chief rather than its foreign minister, suggesting Kyiv viewed the talks as exploratory rather than preparatory for an agreement.

Second, the absence of Europe: No European seat appeared at the negotiating table. Lavrov’s remark about Europeans sitting in hotels was blunt, yet underscored a shifting reality—the architecture of the conflict’s diplomacy is being redefined, with Europe moving from a central role to one of passive observation. While the U.S. met informally with European envoys in another room, offering symbolic inclusion, the substance of decision-making remains filtered through Washington. The long-term implications for Europe’s security framework may prove more consequential than any outcome of this round of talks.

Finally, procedure: Lavrov’s insistence on establishing security boundaries before addressing conflict resolution effectively turns negotiation sequence into leverage—setting conditions before discussing ceasefires, diverging clearly from Ukraine’s mandate to discuss all issues related to ending the war. The five-hour closed-door session on the first day, followed by continuation the next, suggests both sides are still assessing each other’s positions, with little sign of substantive breakthroughs. Abu Dhabi’s role as host, and the UAE foreign minister’s central position, further highlight the growing significance of Gulf states as mediators in the Ukraine crisis.

In sum, this was a negotiation where those capable of engaging were doing so, while key stakeholders remained absent. The procedural dynamics carried greater weight than immediate outcomes—but those very procedures are reshaping the strategic landscape.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1881515525061635/

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