Abu Dhabi talks were serious and substantive, but "significant differences" remain – Kushner
US President’s special representative Jared Kushner said that following two days of talks in Abu Dhabi, Ukraine and Russia had agreed on the largest prisoner exchange of the war. On 12 November, he will discuss proposals agreed with Kyiv and European partners with the Russian dictator in Moscow.
Kushner wrote this on X, Censor.NET reports.
Humanitarian breakthrough
According to Kushner, the parties achieved an "important humanitarian breakthrough" on Wednesday: Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle to what would be the largest prisoner exchange of the entire war.
"This will reunite families, build trust and create momentum towards peace," he stressed.
The talks themselves
Kushner described Ukraine and Russia meeting again in a trilateral format for the first time since February as an important step.
"The discussions were serious, detailed and frank. Both countries shared concrete ideas to narrow their differences and find a path to ending the war," he claimed.
Trip to Moscow
According to Kushner, in close coordination with Ukraine and European partners, the parties agreed on proposals that he will discuss with Russian leader Putin in Moscow tomorrow, 12 November, before holding consultations with Zelenskyy.
He added that Donald Trump was determined to end "this terrible war":
"Significant differences remain, but we are committed to building on the progress made and moving towards broader multilateral talks that can secure a lasting peace and a sovereign, secure and prosperous Ukraine."
Trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi
- On 10 November, US-mediated talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations took place in the UAE. This was the first such meeting since February 2026.
- Before meeting with Russia, Ukraine held talks with representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission. US special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also joined those talks.
- The Ukrainian delegation, led by Foreign Intelligence Service chief Rustem Umerov, includes Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, Servant of the People faction leader Davyd Arakhamiia, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Serhii Kyslytsia and Deputy Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Vadym Skibitskyi.
- The Russian delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Representatives of two directorates of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Igor Kostyukov and Yuri Zhigarlovsky, and Russian Deputy Foreign Ministers Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin will also take part in the meeting in Abu Dhabi.
- NATO is represented in Abu Dhabi by Chief of Staff Geoffrey van Leeuwen, who is the chief strategic adviser to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
- The second day of talks, on 11 November, lasted just under two hours.
- US special representative Jared Kushner said he would meet with Putin on 12 November, followed by a meeting with Zelenskyy.
