The US-Russia-Ukraine meeting in 2026 is a US-mediated trilateral round of talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, scheduled for November 10–11, 2026 and due to begin around 06:30 GMT on November 10. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner mediate, Vladimir Medinsky leads the Russian side and Rustem Umerov leads Ukraine’s delegation, with Donbas territory and post-war security guarantees at the center of the dispute.
US-Russia-Ukraine Meeting 2026 – Introduction
The US-Russia-Ukraine meeting in Abu Dhabi is the first trilateral negotiation between the three governments in 265 days. The last round took place in Geneva on February 17–18, 2026, and the next one planned for March collapsed when the war with Iran pulled Washington’s attention away. The 2026 US-Russia-Ukraine meeting now restarts a diplomatic track that has produced no ceasefire in almost five years of full-scale war.
The talks arrive after the US midterm elections, a renewed Russian air campaign against Ukrainian cities and power plants, and a public push by European governments for a seat at the table. Washington calls the session a working-level meeting. Russia insists on a strictly trilateral format. Ukraine has said it will coordinate separately with European partners. This report covers venue, time, delegations, agenda, history, the Donbas dispute and the American role. Figures run through November 10, 2026, before any outcome was reported.
Interesting Facts about US-Russia-Ukraine Meeting 2026
DAYS BETWEEN TRILATERAL TALKS ROUNDS (2026)
Abu Dhabi round 1 to round 2 (Jan 23 to Feb 4) | ██ 12
Abu Dhabi round 2 to Geneva (Feb 4 to Feb 17) | ███ 13
Geneva (ended Feb 18) to this Abu Dhabi round (Nov 10) | ████████████████████ 265
| Detail | Verified Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| Dates | November 10–11, 2026 |
| Start time | Around 06:30 GMT on November 10 |
| Meeting format | US-mediated trilateral delegation talks, working level |
| US representatives | Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner |
| Russian lead negotiator | Vladimir Medinsky, Kremlin aide |
| Ukrainian delegation head | Rustem Umerov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service |
| Main issue | Donbas territory and peace terms, with security guarantees leading the stated agenda |
| Round number | Fourth US-brokered trilateral round of 2026 |
| Gap since last round | First since February 17–18 |
Source: Reuters (via Korea Herald); CNN; Euronews; Meduza; Interfax-Ukraine; Al Jazeera; Wikipedia, November 9-10, 2026.
The details match across wire reports and official announcements. Talks run two days, November 10 and November 11, in Abu Dhabi, and Kyiv officials said they start around 06:30 GMT on November 10. Witkoff and Kushner mediate for the US. Medinsky heads Russia’s team, and Umerov heads Ukraine’s. Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, called the meeting a trilateral negotiation with Washington as mediator.
Two details need care. The main issue is Donbas, but the New York Times reported that the opening agenda centers on security guarantees, and Peskov said the talks would focus on them. The round count also varies, since CNN and others call this the fourth round while one outlet called it the third. This report uses four, counting Abu Dhabi twice in January and February and Geneva once.
US-Russia-Ukraine Meeting 2026 Venue, Dates and Time: Abu Dhabi Schedule
SCHEDULED START IN LOCAL TIME, NOVEMBER 10, 2026 (hours after midnight)
Washington (EST) | █ 1.5
London (GMT) | ██████ 6.5
Kyiv | ████████ 8.5
Moscow | █████████ 9.5
Abu Dhabi | ██████████ 10.5
| City | Local Start Time | Offset From GMT |
|---|---|---|
| London | 06:30 | GMT |
| Kyiv | 08:30 | GMT+2 |
| Moscow | 09:30 | GMT+3 |
| Abu Dhabi | 10:30 | GMT+4 |
| Washington, D.C. | 01:30 | GMT-5 |
| Sydney | 17:30 | GMT+11 |
Source: Reuters (via Korea Herald), start time cited by officials in Kyiv; AAP; our time zone conversions.
Officials in Kyiv said talks would start around 06:30 GMT on Tuesday, November 10, which is 10:30 in Abu Dhabi. That is 08:30 in Kyiv, 09:30 in Moscow and 01:30 in Washington. The Australian wire service gave 5.30 pm AEDT. These conversions are ours and assume standard winter time in each city.
The UAE has hosted Russia-Ukraine contacts before. Abu Dhabi held the first two trilateral rounds on January 23–24 and February 4–5, 2026. Umerov thanked the Emirates on November 9 for providing the venue and for what he called unwavering support. Sessions may start later than planned, so times should be treated as scheduled, not confirmed.
US-Russia-Ukraine Meeting 2026 Delegations: Who Is at the Table
NAMED DELEGATION MEMBERS
United States | ██ 2
Russia | ██████████ 5
Ukraine | ██████████ 5
| Side | Named Delegates |
|---|---|
| United States | Steve Witkoff, special envoy; Jared Kushner, adviser |
| Russia | Vladimir Medinsky (lead); Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin, deputy foreign ministers; Igor Kostyukov, military intelligence chief; Yuri Zhigarlovsky, general staff |
| Ukraine | Rustem Umerov (head); Kyrylo Budanov, head of the president’s office; Serhiy Kyslytsya; Vadym Skibitsky; Davyd Arakhamia |
| Europe (separate meetings) | UK, France, Germany, Italy, NATO, European Commission |
Source: CNN; Interfax-Ukraine; Euronews; TASS as cited by CNN; Meduza, November 9, 2026.
The US side is small. Witkoff and Kushner have led Washington’s mediation since January 2026, and reports say they could travel to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin after the round. Russia named five delegates, led by Medinsky, who also led Moscow’s team in Geneva in February. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said at the time that choosing Medinsky showed Russia was not seeking a deal.
Ukraine’s delegation is also five names. Umerov is the chief negotiator and heads the Foreign Intelligence Service. Budanov, who now runs the president’s office, joined him. European officials from the E4 group of Britain, France, Germany and Italy, plus NATO and the European Commission, are in Abu Dhabi, but they meet Ukraine separately. Russia has said it does not want Europeans in the negotiating room.
US-Russia-Ukraine Meeting 2026 Agenda: Security Guarantees, Reconstruction and Territory
KUSHNER'S FOUR STATED PRIORITIES
Ending the fighting | ██████████ 1
Postwar security guarantees | ██████████ 2
Economic plan for Ukraine | ██████████ 3
Humanitarian steps and prisoners| ██████████ 4
| Agenda Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stated US goal | A “comprehensive, durable peace agreement” |
| Kushner priority 1 | Ending the fighting |
| Kushner priority 2 | Post-war security guarantees |
| Kushner priority 3 | An economic recovery plan for Ukraine |
| Kushner priority 4 | Humanitarian steps, including return of prisoners and civilians |
| Kremlin focus (Peskov) | Security guarantees |
| Territory | Reported to take a back seat in the opening session |
| US security guarantee | Up to Donald Trump, according to a US official |
Source: CNN; Interfax-Ukraine (citing The New York Times); Al Jazeera; MLQ.ai summary of Kushner’s post on X, November 9, 2026.
Kushner listed four priorities in a post on November 9: end the fighting, set post-war security guarantees, build an economic plan for Ukraine and take humanitarian steps such as returning prisoners and civilians. US officials described the talks as a new starting point for defining a “post-war security architecture.” A US official said it would be up to Trump whether to offer a US security guarantee.
The New York Times reported that Russia’s territorial claims would take a back seat in this round, and Peskov said the talks would focus on security guarantees. That does not remove Donbas from the table. Reuters reported there has been no public sign that Putin will drop his demand for the whole region. A US official told Reuters that negotiators think each leader may compromise a little on territory.
US-Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks 2026 History: Four Rounds in Ten Months
2026 TRILATERAL ROUNDS (days of talks)
Abu Dhabi, Jan 23-24 | ██ 2
Abu Dhabi, Feb 4-5 | ██ 2
Geneva, Feb 17-18 | ██ 2
Abu Dhabi, Nov 10-11 | ██ 2
| Round | Dates | Venue | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 23–24, 2026 | Abu Dhabi | First publicly acknowledged trilateral talks since 2022; no agreement |
| 2 | February 4–5, 2026 | Abu Dhabi | No agreement on ceasefire or territory |
| 3 | February 17–18, 2026 | Geneva | Zelensky said it fell short of Ukraine’s goals |
| Postponed | March 2026 | Not held | Postponed due to the war with Iran |
| 4 | November 10–11, 2026 | Abu Dhabi | Pending |
Source: Wikipedia, 2026 United States-Ukraine-Russia meetings in Abu Dhabi and Geneva; CNN; Latin Times; Euronews, 2026.
The first Abu Dhabi talks on January 23–24 were the first publicly acknowledged trilateral meeting since the 2022 invasion. They ended without agreement on a ceasefire, territory or the fate of Russian-occupied areas. A second Abu Dhabi round followed on February 4–5, and Geneva hosted the third on February 17–18. Zelensky said that round left “sensitive political matters” and a leaders’ meeting unresolved.
The next round did not happen until November. The US postponed a planned March session because of the Iran war, and Trump said this week after meeting Qatar’s prime minister that he believes that war is militarily “effectively over.” In that time, Putin continued to refuse face-to-face talks with Zelensky. This fourth round is the first formal session in 265 days by official count, or about nine months.
Donbas Dispute 2026: Territory Russia Wants and Ukraine Holds
CONTROL OF DONETSK OBLAST (percent, ISW estimate)
Russia held | ████████████████████████████████████████ 79.9
Ukraine held | ██████████ 20.1 (about 19%, per other estimates)
| Territory Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Russian control of Donetsk Oblast | 79.89%, about 21,170 square kilometers (ISW) |
| Ukrainian-held Donetsk Oblast | About 19%, roughly 5,000 square kilometers |
| Luhansk Oblast | Virtually all under Russian control |
| Russian-held share of Ukraine | About 19%, roughly 117,000 square kilometers (DeepState, late October 2026) |
| Russian gain in 2025 | About 0.8% of Ukraine’s territory |
| ISW net Russian gain since Jan 1 | About 100 square kilometers (as of October 16) |
| Putin’s claimed 2026 gain | About 6,500 square kilometers |
| Key Ukrainian-held cities | Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk |
Source: Institute for the Study of War; DeepState; CFR Global Conflict Tracker; Al Jazeera; Kyiv Post; Orbis, 2026.
Russia controls about 79.89% of Donetsk Oblast, about 21,170 square kilometers, per ISW’s estimate, and Ukraine holds about 19%, close to 5,000 square kilometers. Luhansk is almost entirely Russian-held. Ukraine’s remaining Donetsk territory centers on a chain of four cities along the H-20 highway: Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Analysts describe these as the “fortress belt” of Ukraine’s eastern defense.
Putin has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the rest of Donbas, and Kyiv has refused. ISW said Russia missed 15 of Putin’s deadlines to take Donbas. Battlefield numbers conflict: ISW assessed Russia gained a net 100 square kilometers in 2026 by October 16, while Putin said about 6,500 square kilometers. Trump told “60 Minutes” that Ukraine will “end up with a little bit different shape.” Zelensky has rejected ceding land.
Trump Negotiations 2026: Statements, Deals and Pressure on Kyiv
TRUMP PEACE PUSH, NOVEMBER 2026 (days before talks)
Witkoff announces talks (Nov 2) | ████████ 8
Zelensky call with Witkoff and Kushner (Nov 4) | ██████ 6
Trump touts European security deal (Nov 6) | ████ 4
"60 Minutes" interview airs (Nov 8) | ██ 2
Trump cites "strong inclination" (Nov 9) | █ 1
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 2 | Witkoff announces working-level talks for November 10–11 |
| November 4 | Zelensky speaks with Witkoff and Kushner; says talks must “move forward at full throttle” |
| November 6 | Trump touts a security deal that “might involve all of Europe” |
| November 8 | “60 Minutes” interview airs; Trump suggests Ukraine may cede land |
| November 9 | Trump cites a “very strong inclination” to end the war; Kushner posts four priorities |
| November 10 | Talks scheduled to begin |
| After the round | Witkoff and Kushner could travel to Moscow to meet Putin |
Source: CNN; Al Jazeera; Reuters (via Korea Herald); AAP; Latin Times, November 4-10, 2026.
Trump told reporters on November 9 that he sees a “very strong inclination” to end the war and that both sides are “tired of fighting.” He promised to end the war quickly when he took office in January 2025, and a settlement remains elusive. He refused on “60 Minutes” to say whether he trusts Zelensky or Putin more. Washington halted financial aid to Ukraine at the start of 2025, and intelligence and technology support came under strain in recent weeks.
Critics point to Trump’s business moves with Moscow, including a deal to supply markets with Russian diesel and pressure on Zelensky to accept a short-lived energy ceasefire. Kushner says the talks aim to create the conditions for a sovereign, secure and prosperous Ukraine. Analysts disagree on what comes next. John Herbst of the Atlantic Council said expectations should be “very modest.” A senior US official said both sides have privately signaled flexibility.
US-Russia-Ukraine Meeting 2026 Positions: Moscow, Kyiv and Washington Compared
STATED POSITIONS ON KEY ISSUES (count of listed demands)
Russia (Donbas, army size, NATO) | ███ 3
Ukraine (border, no ceding land, guarantees) | ███ 3
United States (peace, guarantees, economy) | ████ 4
| Issue | Russia | Ukraine | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donbas | Wants all of it, per Putin | Rejects ceding land | Trump: Ukraine may end up with a “different shape” |
| Military size | Wants Ukraine’s army reduced | Rejects limits | Not stated |
| NATO membership | Wants Kyiv to give up its ambition | Seeks guarantees | Security guarantee is Trump’s call |
| Format | Strictly trilateral | Coordinates with Europe | Mediates; consults Europeans |
| Ceasefire | Has refused broader ceasefire offers | Wants a ceasefire to end quickly | Seeks “final end to the war” |
Source: CNN; Reuters (via Korea Herald); AFP; Al Jazeera; Meduza, November 9-10, 2026.
The positions have barely moved. CNN reports Putin still makes maximalist demands: Russian control of Donbas, a smaller Ukrainian military and an end to Kyiv’s NATO ambitions. Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera, wants Russia pushed back to the original border and refuses to cede territory. Washington wants a “comprehensive, durable peace” and says a lasting end to the war must satisfy all three parties.
Each side frames the other as the obstacle. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she sees little sign Russia will negotiate in good faith, while Moscow says the talks must stay trilateral to be productive. A US official said negotiators believe both leaders may compromise on territory. Whether that belief holds will show in the first statements after the session, which may not come until November 11. Treat all statements from the talks as preliminary until each side confirms them.
Europe’s Role in the Abu Dhabi Talks 2026: Observers, Not Negotiators
EUROPEAN PARTICIPANTS IN ABU DHABI (count of named groups)
E4 states (UK, France, Germany, Italy) | ████ 4
NATO | █ 1
European Commission and Council | ██ 2
| Participant | Role |
|---|---|
| UK, France, Germany, Italy (E4) | National security advisers hold separate talks with Ukraine |
| NATO | Separate coordination meetings with Kyiv |
| European Commission and Council | Joint team of senior officials |
| Russia’s position | Talks must be strictly trilateral |
| Kremlin statement (Peskov) | Europe has its own channels to Kyiv and Washington |
| EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas | Sees little sign Russia will negotiate in good faith |
| French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot | “The Europeans will be well represented” |
Source: Euronews; CNN; Meduza; Interfax-Ukraine; Financial Times as cited by Meduza, November 9, 2026.
Europe will not sit in the negotiating room, but it will be in Abu Dhabi. National security advisers from the UK, France, Germany and Italy, officials from NATO and a joint European Commission and Council team will hold separate meetings with Ukraine. Poland’s Radoslaw Sikorski said the West should not let Western Europe deal with Russia “over the heads of the East Europeans.”
The Financial Times reported that Europeans want to strengthen Ukraine’s position and stop Russia from reshaping European security. Kushner said a lasting settlement will need direct engagement between Russia and Europe on wider security arrangements. Peskov said Europeans are not part of the trilateral format, so they will not join those sessions, and Ukraine will brief them separately.
Battlefield and Humanitarian Context 2026: What Surrounds the Abu Dhabi Talks
CIVILIAN AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACT, EARLY NOVEMBER 2026
Killed in Zaporizhzhia school strike (Nov 2) | ██ 55
People without power, Dnipropetrovsk (Nov 8) | ██████████████████████████ 600,000
Civilians killed in 2026 (ACLED, thousands) | ██████ 2.7
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Killed in Zaporizhzhia school strike | At least 55 |
| Civilians killed in Russian strikes in 2026 | More than 2,700 (ACLED), the highest of the war |
| People without electricity, Dnipropetrovsk region | More than 600,000 |
| Local truce | Oleshky evacuation truce, brokered with help from Melania Trump |
| Russia’s share of Ukraine held | About 19% |
| Interceptor shortage | Chronic shortage of US-made Patriot missiles |
| Satellite service dispute | Starshield speed limits imposed in October |
Source: CNN; ACLED; France 24; Orbis; Zelensky statements, November 2026.
The talks open as the war’s human toll rises. At least 55 people died when Russia bombed a school building used as a shelter and aid center in Zaporizhzhia, one of the deadliest single incidents of the war. ACLED counted more than 2,700 civilians killed in Russian strikes in 2026, the highest total since the invasion began. Russian attacks left more than 600,000 people in Dnipropetrovsk without power on November 8.
Zelensky said recent battlefield gains strengthened Ukraine’s hand, and Russia claims advances of its own. Last month’s local truce around Oleshky, brokered with help from US First Lady Melania Trump, allowed some residents to leave and aid to arrive. It shows what limited deals are possible. Whether the Abu Dhabi round produces more than that, such as a prisoner exchange or an energy pause, is not yet known.
US-Russia-Ukraine Meeting 2026 FAQ
Where is the US-Russia-Ukraine meeting in 2026?
In Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
When is the US-Russia-Ukraine meeting in Abu Dhabi?
November 10–11, 2026, starting around 06:30 GMT on November 10.
What time does the Abu Dhabi meeting start?
About 06:30 GMT, which is 10:30 in Abu Dhabi, 09:30 in Moscow, 08:30 in Kyiv and 01:30 in Washington.
Who is attending for the United States?
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner.
Who leads Russia’s delegation?
Vladimir Medinsky, a Kremlin aide, with deputy foreign ministers Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin.
Who heads Ukraine’s delegation?
Rustem Umerov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service and Ukraine’s chief negotiator.
What is the format of the talks?
Working-level trilateral talks with the US mediating, according to Russian and American officials.
What is the main issue in the talks?
Donbas territory and peace terms. The stated opening agenda emphasizes security guarantees and post-war security.
Will Europeans take part?
Not in the trilateral sessions. The UK, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission will meet Ukraine separately.
Is this the first time the three sides have met in 2026?
No. Trilateral rounds took place in Abu Dhabi on January 23–24 and February 4–5, and in Geneva on February 17–18.
How long since the last trilateral round?
265 days since the Geneva round ended on February 18, 2026.
Why were talks suspended after February?
The US postponed a planned March round because of the war with Iran.
What does Russia want in Donbas?
Putin has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the rest of the Donbas region. Ukraine has rejected that.
How much of Donetsk does Russia control?
About 79.89% of Donetsk Oblast, per ISW, and virtually all of Luhansk.
What has Trump said about the talks?
He said he sees a “very strong inclination” to end the war, and he suggested Ukraine may end up with “a little bit different shape.”
Has a deal been reached?
No outcome had been reported as of November 10, 2026, and earlier rounds ended without breakthroughs.
What is Ukraine’s position at the Abu Dhabi talks?
Ukraine rejects ceding Donbas, wants a quick ceasefire and security guarantees, and will coordinate separately with European partners.
What is Russia’s position at the Abu Dhabi talks?
Moscow seeks control of Donbas, a smaller Ukrainian army and an end to Kyiv’s NATO ambitions, and insists on a strictly trilateral format.
Could Trump offer Ukraine a US security guarantee?
A US official said it would be up to Trump to decide whether to offer one as part of the talks.
Who announced the Abu Dhabi talks?
Steve Witkoff announced working-level trilateral talks for November 10–11, and Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Moscow was ready to resume talks around November 10.
Who is Rustem Umerov?
Umerov is Ukraine’s chief negotiator and head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, and he leads the Ukrainian delegation in Abu Dhabi.
Who is Vladimir Medinsky?
Medinsky is a Kremlin aide who leads Russia’s delegation in Abu Dhabi and also led it in Geneva in February.
Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.