Abu Dhabi Peace Talks Resume as White House Hosts Kherson Ceasefire Summit

Key points

• U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed that working-level peace talks will resume in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11, ending a diplomatic pause that began in February.
• The agenda includes post-war security arrangements, de-escalation measures, and humanitarian efforts, with Witkoff and Jared Kushner leading the U.S. delegation.
• First Lady Melania Trump will host Russian and Ukrainian representatives at the White House on Thursday to discuss the recent six-day ceasefire in the Kherson region.
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated Moscow is finalizing plans for a potential trilateral meeting between the leaders of Russia, the U.S., and China, excluding Ukraine.
• Ukraine has accused Russia of using the Kherson ceasefire to reinforce military positions, while both sides have praised the humanitarian evacuation of Oleshky.

Background

This diplomatic push follows a series of U.S.-brokered talks in Kyiv, Oslo, and St. Petersburg. Recent tensions between Washington and Kyiv over military support and intelligence sharing have complicated the process. Additionally, European allies have rejected U.S. proposals to revive Russian gas deals as part of peace negotiations, emphasizing sanctions instead. A brief local ceasefire in Kherson, credited to Melania Trump and Pope Leo, offered a rare pause in hostilities, though it ended amid accusations of military reinforcement by Russian forces.

How outlets are covering it

While all outlets confirm the Abu Dhabi talks, they differ on the prospects for success. CNBC and Axios highlight the U.S. hope that lifting sanctions on Russian diesel will encourage Moscow to compromise, though they note Putin has only agreed to resume talks so far. CBS News emphasizes the deep divide over territory, noting that Putin’s demand for annexation and Zelenskyy’s refusal to cede land remain unresolved. The Guardian points out that the talks are working-level, not at the national leadership level, and notes that the last trilateral talks ended when the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran. Zelenskyy has explicitly rejected any peace deal that excludes Ukraine, stating 'Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,' a stance that contrasts with the Kremlin’s interest in a U.S.-China-Russia trilateral meeting.

Why it matters

The resumption of talks signals a potential shift in the diplomatic landscape, but the fundamental disagreements over territory and security guarantees remain. The involvement of China in potential future talks could alter the balance of power, while the White House’s role in brokering local ceasefires highlights the U.S. effort to maintain influence despite strained relations with Kyiv. The success of these talks will determine whether a broader peace process can begin or if the conflict will continue to escalate.

What to watch

U.S. negotiators will meet with European and NATO officials in Brussels this week to discuss post-war security guarantees and reconstruction. The White House summit on Thursday will assess the viability of the Kherson ceasefire. If the Abu Dhabi talks yield progress, a trilateral meeting between the U.S., Russia, and China could be finalized in the coming days, though Ukraine’s exclusion from such a meeting remains a major point of contention.