Sybiha outlines Abu Dhabi talks agenda: security and confidence building
Ukraine plans to discuss security, confidence-building measures and a possible agenda for a Zelenskyy–Putin meeting. The US has announced trilateral talks for next week.
Ukraine expects to focus on security issues and confidence-building measures at upcoming talks in Abu Dhabi. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced this on November 5, 2026; his remarks were published by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s official channel.
Another stated topic is a possible agenda for a potential meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin. Sybiha said talks in Abu Dhabi were expected in the coming days. His wording refers to preparations for possible contact between the leaders, rather than announcing an already agreed meeting.
On the American side, Jared Kushner confirmed the plans. In a post published on X on November 5, he said the United States would convene trilateral peace discussions with Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi the following week — the first since February, according to him. Kushner said Washington had been working with both sides on proposals for substantive talks.
According to Kushner, this followed discussions in Brussels between the US delegation and representatives of Ukraine, NATO and European partners. He identified two interconnected themes of those consultations: security guarantees for Ukraine and a broader European security architecture.
Speaking at a press conference in Bucharest, Sybiha welcomed US efforts and said the European track should complement the main, American-led track. However, the minister stressed that Ukraine saw no signs of Russia’s readiness for serious negotiations. In his assessment, achieving a just and comprehensive peace requires pressure on Russia, sanctions, a stronger Ukraine and a deterrence package.
As of November 6, the process therefore concerns preparations for a new round, not agreements already reached. A possible Zelenskyy–Putin meeting remains a separate prospect: discussing its agenda does not mean the sides have agreed to hold the meeting itself.
Primary sources
Documents and statements this story is based on.
