Putin’s administration supported NATO’s participation in negotiations regarding war in Ukraine
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov described the participation of the commander of NATO forces in Europe in the talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi as positive.
This was reported by Censor.NET, citing Russian media.
According to the Russian diplomat, the presence at the talks in Abu Dhabi of Alexus Grynkewich, Commander of NATO’s Allied Command Operations in Europe, added a significant measure of professionalism to the discussions on the part of the West.
"As you can imagine, our military representatives were there as well. They are fully versed in all this material and worked with the utmost professionalism," stated the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation.
In addition, Ryabkov added that U.S. President Donald Trump’s team is currently demonstrating a certain "drive" in trying to find ways to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
"There’s no denying that the U.S. is showing drive in seeking solutions to the Ukrainian conflict," Ryabkov noted.
According to the Russian diplomat, with sufficient political will, certain practical results can be achieved within the framework of peace talks on Ukraine.
"To build something that would be functional, to have realistic expectations about what can be achieved, and at the same time to avoid uncontrolled escalation—taking into account yesterday’s and the day before yesterday’s discussions—I think this is possible if there is sufficient political will," Ryabkov stated.
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; Serhii Kyslytsia, first deputy head of the Office of the President; and Vadym Skibitskyi, 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 are Igor Kostyukov and Yuri Zhigarlovsky, 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 Geoffrey van Leeuwen, who serves as the chief strategic advisor to Alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte.
- The second round of talks, on November 11, lasted a little less than two hours.
- U.S. Special Representative Jared Kushner announced that he will meet with Putin on November 12, followed by a meeting with Zelenskyy.
