Ukraine's foreign intelligence chief Rustem Umerov will lead Kyiv's delegation at trilateral peace talks with Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi, expected on November 10, a top Ukrainian official confirmed on Friday, amid media confusion over who would head the team.
David Arakhamia, head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's parliamentary group, confirmed Umerov's role to the Kyiv Independent, stating: 'Umerov is head of negotiations.' The remarks followed reports that chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov would lead the delegation. Zelensky's communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn told reporters that Budanov had not said he would lead, only that he would attend. 'No changes so far,' Lytvyn said.
The Ukrainian delegation in Abu Dhabi is expected to include Arakhamia, Lytvyn, Budanov, Umerov, and first deputy head of the Presidential Office Serhii Kyslytsia. According to Arakhamia, the team will discuss Russia's recent escalating attacks, including the deadly strike on a humanitarian aid center in Komyshuvakha, with both US and Russian officials.
Budanov sought to tamp down expectations of a significant breakthrough in the talks. 'I will repeat once again, these negotiations are not the last, they are not final,' he said in an interview with CBS News.
European officials are not expected to attend the talks, despite Europe providing the bulk of military and financial support to Kyiv. European, Ukrainian, and US representatives met in Brussels on November 5 to coordinate positions ahead of the expected talks. Zelensky said that 'there have been many preparatory steps in recent days,' and said that 'issues concerning Europe's security must be discussed with the participation of European nations, all of which equally deserve guaranteed security.'
EU leaders are set to discuss on November 13 how the bloc is represented at peace talks, after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni complained about a lack of a unified approach.
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Analysis
Why This Matters
These are the first confirmed trilateral peace talks involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine under the current US administration, signaling an intensified diplomatic push by Washington.
The exclusion of European leaders from the direct talks, despite Europe being Ukraine's largest financial and military backer, has created a visible transatlantic tension over who gets a seat at the negotiating table.
The talks take place amid escalating Russian attacks, testing whether diplomatic channels can gain traction on the ground.
Background
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Moscow has repeatedly rejected Western-backed proposals for a full and unconditional ceasefire, which Kyiv has supported, while continuing to demand that Ukraine cede territory in the Donbas. The scheduled talks in Abu Dhabi come amid a renewed US effort to revive negotiations.
Key Perspectives
David Arakhamia: Confirmed Umerov as the lead negotiator, dismissing speculation about Budanov's role and stating the delegation would raise Russia's recent attacks.
Kyrylo Budanov: Cautioned against high expectations, framing the talks as part of a longer, non-final process.
Volodymyr Zelensky: Insisted that European nations must be included in discussions affecting European security and guaranteed security for all European countries.
Giorgia Meloni / EU leaders: Expressed frustration over the lack of a unified EU approach to the peace process, with a formal discussion scheduled for November 13 on the bloc's representation.
What to Watch
The specific outcomes and communiqué from the November 10 Abu Dhabi talks.
The EU leaders' meeting on November 13 and whether it leads to a demand for direct European involvement in future rounds.
The trajectory of Russian offensive operations in Ukraine, which provide the backdrop and leverage for the diplomatic track.
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
SupportedUmerov was confirmed to lead Ukraine’s delegation in Abu Dhabi peace talks.Kyiv Independent: “Umerov to lead Ukraine delegation in Abu Dhabi peace talks despite media confusion, top official confirms.”
SupportedTrilateral talks with Russia and the US were expected for November 10 amid confusion over who would lead the negotiating team.Kyiv Independent: “The talks in Abu Dhabi are expected to take place on Nov. 10 in a trilateral format, with Ukrainian, Russian, and U.S. officials in attendance. The news follows confusion”
SupportedUmerov will lead Kyiv’s delegation at trilateral peace talks with Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi, expected on November 10.Kyiv Independent: “Ukraine's primary negotiator and foreign intelligence chief Rustem Umerov will lead Kyiv's negotiation team at trilateral peace talks with Russia and the U.S. next week”
SupportedA top Ukrainian official confirmed Umerov’s role on Friday.Kyiv Independent: “a top official confirmed on Nov. 6.”
SupportedArakhamia told the Kyiv Independent, “Umerov is head of negotiations.”Kyiv Independent: “David Arakhamia , head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's parliamentary group, confirmed Umerov's role in comments to the Kyiv Independent after a briefing at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington. "Umerov is head of negotiations," Arakhamia said.”
SupportedReports said Budanov would lead the delegation, but Lytvyn said Budanov had only said he would attend.Kyiv Independent: “The news follows confusion after the media incorrectly reported that Zelensky's chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov , would lead the Ukrainian delegation. Zelensky's communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn later told reporters that Budanov did not say he would lead the delegation, only that he would attend.”
SupportedLytvyn said, “No changes so far.”Kyiv Independent: “"No changes so far," Lytvyn told reporters when asked to confirm that Umerov would lead the delegation.”
SupportedArakhamia said the Ukrainian team would discuss Russia’s recent escalating attacks, including the deadly strike on a humanitarian aid center in Komyshuvakha, with US and Russian officials.Kyiv Independent: “Arakhamia also said that the Ukrainian team in Abu Dhabi would discuss Russia's recent escalating attacks — including the deadly strike on a humanitarian aid center in Komyshuvakha — with both the U.S. and Russian delegations.”
SupportedBudanov said, “I will repeat once again, these negotiations are not the last, they are not final.”Kyiv Independent: “"I will repeat once again, these negotiations are not the last, they are not final," Budanov said.”
SupportedEuropean officials were not expected to attend the talks.Kyiv Independent: “European officials are not expected to attend, despite Europe providing the bulk of military and financial support to Kyiv”
SupportedZelensky said there had been many preparatory steps in recent days.Kyiv Independent: “Zelensky said that "there have been many preparatory steps in recent days: a meeting in Brussels involving NATO and Europeans, my contacts with the U.S. president's envoys, and virtually constant communication between our negotiating teams."”
SupportedZelensky said Europe’s security issues must be discussed with European nations, which equally deserve guaranteed security.Kyiv Independent: “"We all agree that issues concerning Europe's security must be discussed with the participation of European nations, all of which equally deserve guaranteed security," Zelensky said.”
Correction
An earlier version of this story said a top Ukrainian official confirmed Umerov's role on Thursday. The confirmation was on Friday, November 6.