US to mediate Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi next week, Witkoff says

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced the U.S. would be mediating upcoming Ukraine and Russia peace talks in Abu Dhabi next week.

“The United States will mediate working-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi, advancing President Trump’s mission to end the war,” Witkoff wrote on the social platform X . “Discussions will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace.”

He continued that U.S. negotiators would meet this week in Brussels with France, Germany, U.K and NATO allies to “discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe’s post-war security architecture, and economic opportunities to support Ukraine’s reconstruction.”

“We look forward to building on the progress made in Kyiv, Oslo, and St. Petersburg toward a comprehensive, durable peace agreement that delivers lasting security for generations to come,” Witkoff concluded.

The talks concerning Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine come as President Trump pushes to end the ongoing conflict.

First lady Melania Trump brokered a localized ceasefire in one Russian-occupied Ukrainian town that ended Sunday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Monday said that Russia launched strikes that hit a humanitarian site. Reports state 26 people have died, with some victims still stuck under the rubble.

Current efforts to rescue people were hampered by Russian drone attacks in the affected area, according to the Associated Press , citing Mykhailo Semikin, a military official.

Zelensky warned in a post that Ukraine had “intel that Russia is preparing a new massive attack on our country,” which was targeting “energy and logistics.”

“The assumption is basically that tomorrow the world will be watching the American midterms, and what is happening here in Ukraine, along with our difficulties with air defense and Patriot missiles, will be overlooked,” the Ukrainian president continued.