Medinsky to Lead Russia's Abu Dhabi Delegation

Russia plans to send its chief negotiator to Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11 to join trilateral discussions with Ukraine and the United States. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Vladimir Medinsky, an assistant to Russian President Vladimir Putin, will lead the delegation. Peskov stated that Medinsky remains the head of the Russian negotiating team for this process.

Peskov addressed questions regarding communication between the negotiators and Putin before their departure. He said there are no precise plans for a direct contact ahead of the trip. However, he noted that most members of the Russian delegation regularly report on current issues to Putin and receive instructions from him.

The talks are expected to focus on technical details for ending the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously indicated that a meeting of technical teams was planned for the first half of November. He later noted that the timing depends on the American side. Ukraine sought to move the negotiations forward by at least one week and requested the inclusion of an European Union representative in the discussions.

Zelenskyy expressed readiness to meet Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Istanbul to discuss war-ending terms. On October 28, the Ukrainian president said that conversations between European leaders and Putin suggest Russia is serious about holding the team meeting in Abu Dhabi. The Russian delegation's arrival marks the next step in these diplomatic efforts.