By — Bassam Hatoum, Associated Press Bassam Hatoum, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/russia-and-ukraine-hold-nearly-4-hours-of-u-s-mediated-talks-in-abu-dhabi Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Russia and Ukraine hold nearly 4 hours of U.S.-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi World Nov 10, 2026 1:09 PM EST ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday held their first U.S.-mediated talks in nine months on ending their war, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling the meeting "very productive" and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying the session was "constructive and quite substantive." Hopes of ending Europe's biggest conflict since World War II are tempered, however, by the absence of any significant breakthroughs in three previous rounds of talks earlier this year. READ MORE: Russia-Ukraine peace talks led by U.S. will look at security guarantees for both sides There's nothing to suggest a new posture that would lead to a breakthrough, but circumstances surrounding the talks have been changed by the outcome of the U.S. midterm elections as well as increased pressure on Russia's wartime…
Russia and Ukraine hold nearly 4 hours of U.S.-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi
In short
The Abu Dhabi discussions saw participation from American representatives Jared Kushner, envoy Steve Witkoff, and NATO commander U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, with additional meetings planned to follow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the substantive dialogue addressed security guarantees as well as the return of captive civilians and taken children. Mediators are also attempting to organize a large-scale prisoner swap, even as battlefield strikes continue to demonstrate the steep obstacles facing any comprehensive peace framework.
Key points
- Direct negotiations between the two nations have resumed for the first time in nine month…: Direct negotiations between the two nations have resumed for the first time in nine months with high-level American diplomatic and military mediation.
- Officials from both sides are working out details for a potential large-scale prisoner ex…: Officials from both sides are working out details for a potential large-scale prisoner exchange during subsequent negotiation sessions.
- Widespread overnight aerial bombardments and tempered reactions from European leaders emp…: Widespread overnight aerial bombardments and tempered reactions from European leaders emphasize the severe challenges facing immediate diplomatic breakthroughs.