Russia-Ukraine talks turn to post-war security but end without breakthrough

BBC ^ | 11-11-2026 1:15 p.m. | Laura Gozzi

[UMCRevMom@aol.com]

Trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi between Russia, Ukraine and the US aimed at ending the war in Ukraine have concluded after a second day.

Although the American side said they saw "some openings", there was no hint of any breakthroughs to end the nearly five year-long war sparked by Russia's invasion.

However, both Moscow and Kyiv confirmed that a large-scale prisoner of war exchange was in the works and could be carried out soon.

Davyd Arakhamia from Ukraine's negotiating team said that this round of talks - the first since February - "was one of the hardest."

"I believe the Russians came with very strict directives, so it was extremely difficult to soften the discussion," he said. But he added that he felt "good momentum" and urged for a second round of talks to be organized as soon as possible.

Comments by Kremlin negotiator Vladimir Medinsky were less conciliatory. "Right now... a lot depends on Ukraine, on the position of the US, and on whether Europe comes to its senses," he said.

The meetings in Abu Dhabi had been framed as centred around the "security architecture" of Europe.

For Kyiv, this may include reassurances that allies will come to its aid if Ukraine comes under attack again, despite the country not being a Nato member.

For Moscow, a reworked "security framework" is likely to include a limit to the influence of Nato in eastern Europe

That framework would serve as "a new Yalta and Potsdam", Medinsky said, referring to the 1940s summits in which the victorious Allied powers carved up post-war Europe into spheres of influence.

Ukraine and Europe have long been concerned about the current US administration's commitment to European security and its softening towards the Kremlin.

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TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Russia; Ukraine
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VIDEO

Ukraine peace talks: Is Putin trying to reshape Europe’s security?
DW News
6.5M subscribers
11-11-2026 7:30 p.m.
Length 13:19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLKiycgbcgs

Russia and Ukraine are holding their first face-to-face peace talks in more than nine months, with the United States mediating negotiations in Abu Dhabi. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the discussions as constructive. But is Vladimir Putin really negotiating to end the war, or to reshape Europe’s security?

DW’s Juri Rescheto examines what Putin wants from the negotiations, whether Moscow is serious about a settlement and what concessions Russia might accept.

Ian Bond, deputy director of the Centre for European Reform and former British ambassador to Latvia, explains why a deal ending the fighting in Ukraine could still leave Europe less secure. Could Washington negotiate an agreement that European governments consider dangerous? And what could Europe do to resist it?