Russia is sending higher-level delegation to Abu Dhabi, Bloomberg says
Russia is sending a higher-level delegation to the US-mediated talks with Ukraine in Abu Dhabi than in previous rounds, which could indicate its readiness for more substantive negotiations.
Source: Bloomberg
Details: Bloomberg says that the composition of the delegation suggests Russia may be prepared to focus on both political and military issues.
The Russian news agency Interfax reported on 7 November, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, that Russia's delegation to the United Arab Emirates will include deputy foreign ministers Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin, military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov and senior General Staff officer Yuri Zhigarlovsky. The delegation will be led by Russian ruler Vladimir Putin's aide, Vladimir Medinsky.
Ryabkov is Russia's top diplomat overseeing relations with the US and Iran, as well as arms control negotiations, while Medinsky has been involved in Russia's negotiations with Ukraine since the 2022 talks in Istanbul. Kostyukov also led Moscow's delegation in Abu Dhabi in January.
Putin discussed preparations for the talks with Russia's Security Council on 6 November. The Kremlin website reported that all members of the delegation travelling to the UAE were present at the meeting.
Ukraine's delegation will be led by Rustem Umierov, Head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service. It will also include Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Office, and Davyd Arakhamiia, head of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction.
Background:
- US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced that trilateral talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine war will take place in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 November and focus on further steps towards peace.
- Peskov said that the Russian delegation will arrive in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 November and take part in trilateral talks in the Ukraine-US-Russia format. Medinsky will remain head of the Russian delegation.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that, following a conversation between European leaders and Putin, there is a sense that Russia is serious about a meeting of the negotiating teams in Abu Dhabi.
- US President Donald Trump said that a new major deal concerning Ukraine and potentially affecting the whole of Europe could be reached in the near future.
- Budanov said that these would not be the last negotiations.
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