Witkoff names Abu Dhabi for Russia-Ukraine talks, but fighting carries on

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced on Nov. 3 that trilateral peace negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. will be held Nov. 10-11 in Abu Dhabi. Witkoff said discussions will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace. Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to represent Washington.

The announcement follows weeks of work by Ukrainian, American, and Russian officials to establish new rounds of talks. President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin both expressed willingness to negotiate after meeting Witkoff in Oslo and St. Petersburg, respectively, in October. If the talks proceed, they would be the first trilateral negotiations at this level in months, with Washington directly mediating.

But the same day's news showed neither side pausing military operations. Ukraine reportedly struck the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Yaroslavl with drones overnight on Nov. 3, causing multiple fires. On Nov. 2, Putin signed a decree ordering Russian data centers to reserve 10% of capacity for state IT infrastructure.

The simultaneous strike and defensive decree do not prove either side is preparing for continued escalation rather than de-escalation. They do show that military and infrastructure activity is continuing while diplomats prepare to meet. Whether the Abu Dhabi meeting can produce a ceasefire or just another round of talks is not yet known.

A two-day meeting can deliver something durable only if both sides arrive ready to stop trading blows. The evidence so far shows they have not stopped yet.