Kremlin says Russia-Ukraine-US talks set for first half of November in Abu Dhabi

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on 23 October that the next round of talks is "planned for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi" and will be held in a trilateral format with Russia, Ukraine and the United States. Asked about European participation, he said "nothing can be ruled out in advance".Sources:1Al Jazeera: Russia and Ukraine say talks planned for November in UAE, Al Jazeera, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)2TASS: Abu Dhabi talks are set to take place in trilateral format — Kremlin, TASS, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said negotiations would take place "in the first half of November, and as early as possible", after speaking with US envoy Steve Witkoff. He warned that much depends on Russia, noting that a similar meeting expected earlier in October never happened, and said any deal needs strong security guarantees, 10 years of funding for Ukraine's army and European involvement.Sources:1Al Jazeera: Russia and Ukraine say talks planned for November in UAE, Al Jazeera, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)

The announcement follows Witkoff's meeting with Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg earlier in the week, after which the Kremlin agreed in principle to resume talks after 10 November. Putin said the talks should aim at long-term security arrangements for a final deal rather than a short truce. US-brokered rounds in Abu Dhabi and Geneva earlier in 2026 produced little beyond prisoner exchanges.Sources:1Al Jazeera: Russia and Ukraine say talks planned for November in UAE, Al Jazeera, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)3The Moscow Times (Reuters): Putin Says Renewed Peace Talks Must Focus on Security for Russia, Ukraine and Europe Overall, The Moscow Times (Reuters), 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)4PBS NewsHour (AP): Putin agrees to resume trilateral Russia-Ukraine-U.S. talks next month, PBS NewsHour (AP), 21 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)

Fighting continued around the announcement: on 22 October Ukraine said Russia fired at least 21 ballistic missiles at Kyiv, and Russia said Ukraine launched 630 drones towards Moscow overnight. Territory remains the main obstacle, with Russia demanding all of the Donbas and Kyiv refusing to give up land it holds.Sources:3The Moscow Times (Reuters): Putin Says Renewed Peace Talks Must Focus on Security for Russia, Ukraine and Europe Overall, The Moscow Times (Reuters), 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)5NBC News (Reuters): Russia pounds Kyiv with missiles and drones, hours after agreeing to peace talks, NBC News (Reuters), 22 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)