Direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, with the mediation of the United States, are scheduled for November in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced on Friday, as reported by AFP.
Russia has expressed willingness to resume peace talks, which have been stalled since the beginning of the year, following a meeting on Wednesday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also shown support for these discussions.
Peskov stated, “These discussions are set for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi,” during a press briefing.
This announcement comes amid intensified diplomatic efforts from the White House, where emissary Steve Witkoff met with Zelensky and European leaders first in Oslo and then with Putin in Saint Petersburg to revive peace negotiations.
After these meetings, both Ukraine and Russia have expressed their readiness to resume direct talks with US mediation.
Moscow, which has been conducting a large-scale offensive in Ukraine since February 2022, mentioned a date around November 10, while Kyiv has advocated for discussions to occur as soon as possible.
However, Putin warned on Thursday evening that the goal of these negotiations would be a “final agreement” rather than a temporary pause in hostilities, as requested by Kyiv and its allies.
Meanwhile, both warring parties continue their attacks.
