Overview
- This week the European Commission confirmed the EU will attend technical talks in Abu Dhabi that had been framed as a trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine and the United States, effectively widening the negotiation format.
- The talks are set to focus on security guarantees for Ukraine, and U.S. envoys including Jared Kushner and President Trump have signalled the format may expand to include European partners if negotiators make progress.
- Russia publicly praised U.S. engagement while warning that Kyiv and some European states are preparing for continued war, a stance voiced by Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu.
- Multinational military exercises organised by the Volenterosi/Forza multinazionale per l'Ucraina have begun, with roughly 2,800 troops taking part mainly in Poland through 22 November to train for post-conflict security and deterrence roles.
- European unity is under strain as leaders such as Italy’s Giorgia Meloni demand a single European voice and Kyiv and EU governments have warned against any security architecture being drafted without their direct involvement; fighting on the ground and civilian losses continue to raise the stakes for negotiators.