Only Ukraine will decide fate of its territories: NATO general assesses talks in Abu Dhabi
Only Ukraine has the right to decide the fate of its territories during negotiations with Russia. NATO also doubts that Moscow came to Abu Dhabi with a genuine desire to reach an agreement, rather than to repeat the demands it made back in 2022.
According to Censor.NET, General John Stringer, Deputy Supreme Commander of NATO's Allied Forces in Europe, made this statement in an interview with Euronews.
NATO is skeptical of Russia's intentions
The Alliance is represented at the talks in Abu Dhabi by high-ranking officials. In particular, General Alexus Grinkevich, Commander of NATO’s Joint Forces in Europe, is participating in the meetings. He joined the talks as commander of the U.S. European Command to advise American leaders.
John Stringer expressed hope that Russia is participating in the negotiations in good faith. At the same time, he noted that there are currently almost no signs that Putin has abandoned his maximalist demands.
"Let's see how serious Russia is about this. Let's hope this isn't just, frankly speaking, a repeat of the demands dating back to 2022," the general said.
According to him, Ukraine's ceasefire objectives are a top priority for NATO.
Kyiv will decide the fate of Ukrainian territories
Commenting on possible pressure on Ukraine to cede parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Stringer emphasized that decisions regarding these territories can be made only by the Ukrainian side.
"As far as the territories are concerned, that is entirely a matter for Ukrainians," he said.
The general also spoke positively about Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had called on Kyiv to refrain from such attacks, stating that they were causing energy prices to rise.
Stringer believes that the allies should acknowledge the results of Ukraine’s strikes. According to him, in early 2022, Putin had hoped that Ukraine would mark the beginning of a new security architecture in Europe, but his plans did not come to fruition.
"What Ukraine has been able to achieve through imagination, innovation, and determination is simply incredible, and we must recognize that," the general emphasized.
Trilateral Talks in Abu Dhabi
- On November 10, talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations, mediated by the United States, took place in the UAE. This is the first such meeting since February 2026.
- Prior to its meeting with Russia, Ukraine held talks with representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO, and the European Commission, which were also joined by U.S. Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
- The Ukrainian delegation, led by Rustem Umerov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, includes Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine; Davyd Arakhamia, chairman of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction; Serhiy Kyslytsia, first deputy head of the Office of the President; and Vadym Skibitsky, deputy chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense.
- The Russian delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Also participating in the meeting in Abu Dhabi on behalf of Russia will be Igor Kostyukov and Yuri Zhigalovsky, representatives of two departments of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, as well as Sergey Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin, deputy foreign ministers of Russia.
- At the same time, NATO is represented in Abu Dhabi by Chief of Staff Jeffrey van Leuven, who serves as the chief strategic advisor to Alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte.
- The second day of negotiations, November 11, lasted just under two hours.
- Kushner announced that he will meet with Putin on November 12, followed by a meeting with Zelenskyy.
