Trump envoys to meet European officials before trilateral Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi

US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff plan to sit down with European representatives before the start of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia in Abu Dhabi, according to a post Kushner published on X.

Kushner said President Donald Trump is "determined to bring an end to this horrible war, which has caused enormous loss of life, destruction, and suffering". Ahead of the two days of trilateral negotiations, he and Witkoff will meet "partners from Ukraine, the EU, NATO, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy to continue the close consultation and coordination we have undertaken".

Kushner described the Abu Dhabi gathering as a significant step, saying: "These will be the first trilateral talks since February." He added: "Building on our separate consultations with both sides, our objective is to bring Ukraine and Russia together to discuss directly their postwar security concerns, proposals, and potential solutions. We hope these discussions will identify areas of common ground, advance practical solutions, and build momentum toward the next phase of negotiations."

According to Kushner, the diplomatic work so far has concentrated on four interconnected priorities: ending the fighting, developing credible postwar security guarantees and arrangements that reduce the risk of renewed conflict, preparing a comprehensive economic and prosperity plan for Ukraine, and advancing humanitarian measures to alleviate suffering and address the human consequences of the war.

On the economic track, Kushner said: "Together with Ukraine, the EU, and other European partners, we are working to address Ukraine's substantial postwar fiscal and reconstruction needs, support critical infrastructure, attract private investment, and create the conditions for long-term economic growth and self-sufficiency."

Earlier on 9 November, Rustem Umierov, Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service and leader of the Ukrainian negotiating team, confirmed that the Ukrainian delegation had departed for the planned meetings in Abu Dhabi.

The peace talks between Ukraine, the US and Russia, scheduled for 10 and 11 November in the Emirati capital, will also draw senior European participation. Representatives of the European Commission, the European Council, Germany, France and the United Kingdom are expected at security adviser level, along with the NATO secretary general's chief of staff.

Also on 9 November, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reported having a "good call" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which the two discussed security in the Black Sea and the upcoming talks in Abu Dhabi.