US and Russian officials conducted several hours of secret negotiations in Abu Dhabi, aiming to develop a plan to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This high-level meeting occurred even as airstrikes continued to escalate, resulting in at least nine fatalities overnight, with the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, suffering significant attacks.
Present at the talks was US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who joined the US negotiating team less than two weeks prior. The meeting involved discussions around a potential peace framework introduced last week, which has become the focal point of ongoing negotiations. A US official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that Ukrainian representatives were aware of the discussions, with all parties expressing a desire to reach a swift resolution to the fighting.
The backdrop of these talks includes a recent post by former President Donald Trump, who noted that “big progress” was being made on a deal for Ukraine. His comments suggested that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian officials had made headway in addressing the concerns of Kyiv and its European allies regarding a 28-point peace proposal put forth by the White House team.
While Washington remains focused on securing Ukrainian support for the proposal before the November 27 deadline, officials are keen to conclude a deal even earlier. Those familiar with the Abu Dhabi talks noted a sense of urgency as military actions intensified.
Intensified Conflict Amidst Diplomatic Efforts
Overnight, heavy airstrikes were exchanged between Moscow and Kyiv. Reports indicate that six individuals died in Kyiv, while three were killed in the Russian Rostov region. Ukrainian air defense systems attempted to protect the capital from combined missile and drone assaults, leading to loud explosions and prompting authorities to advise residents to seek shelter.
In a separate incident, the Romanian Defence Ministry reported that fighter jets were deployed to monitor two drone incursions into its airspace near the Ukrainian border. This escalation comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, stating that progress had been made in ongoing peace negotiations involving US and European partners.
Zelensky remarked, “Now the list of necessary steps to end the war can become doable. Many right elements have been taken into account in this framework.” Nevertheless, he emphasized that significant work remains, urging that the peace process be conducted “with dignity.”
Following the negotiations that produced the 28-point Trump peace plan, Ukrainian and European officials swiftly drafted a counter-proposal with less favorable terms for Russia. This revised 19-point plan has been dismissed by Russian officials as a non-starter.
In light of the recent airstrikes, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for sustained pressure on Russia and unity among transatlantic allies to expedite an end to the conflict. He characterized the attacks as a “terrorist response to the United States’ and President Trump’s peace proposals.”
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to the violent conflict that has ravaged Ukraine for over a year.
