RUSSIA, US, UKRAINE PLAN TALKS TO END WAR IN ABU DHABI IN NOVEMBER, KREMLIN SAYS

Trilateral talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine are planned to be held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, in the first half of November, with a focus on security issues after a peace settlement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said.

The Abu Dhabi announcement marks a potential breakthrough in efforts to end the war that has raged since February 2022.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT

Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had outlined the subject of the negotiations. “President Putin has outlined the subject of the negotiations: security issues for both countries, Russia and Ukraine—following the transition to a peaceful settlement,” he said .

The talks will be held in a trilateral format, Peskov added, noting that the possible participation of European countries cannot be ruled out in principle .

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THE CONTEXT

The announcement comes after Putin met with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg this week, where Russia indicated its readiness to restart talks that had been stalled since earlier this year.

The war in Ukraine has caused immense suffering, displaced millions and reshaped European security.

Previous peace efforts have failed, with Russia and Ukraine trading accusations over violations of ceasefires and disagreements over the terms of any settlement.

WHY IT MATTERS

If the talks proceed, they would represent the most serious attempt to end the war since the early months of the conflict.

The involvement of the United States, under President Donald Trump, signals a shift in Washington’s approach.

Trump has previously called for an end to the war and has been critical of the level of US support for Ukraine.

The focus on “security issues after a peace settlement” suggests that the parties are discussing the terms of a post-war arrangement, including guarantees for Ukraine’s security and the future of Russia’s relationship with the West.

For Ukraine, the talks offer a potential path to peace but also the risk of a settlement that does not fully protect its sovereignty.

For Russia, they offer an opportunity to secure concessions and normalize relations with the United States.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the talks are scheduled for the first half of November. The world will be watching.