U.S. to mediate Ukraine-Russia talks aimed at brokering “next steps toward peace,” U.S. envoy Witkoff says

Updated on: November 3, 2026 / 6:56 AM EST / CBS News

The U.S. will mediate working-level talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials in November, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said Tuesday night. In a post on X, Witkoff said the discussions on Nov. 10 and 11 in Abu Dhabi would "focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace."

He added that American negotiators would meet this week with representatives from European allies and the NATO alliance, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom, to discuss future security guarantees for Ukraine, which has been one of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recurring demands for any deal with Russia.

"We look forward to building on the progress made in Kyiv, Oslo, and St. Petersburg toward a comprehensive, durable peace agreement that delivers lasting security for generations to come," Witkoff said.

Ukraine and Russia have held several rounds of talks mediated by the U.S. during President Trump's second term, often yielding prisoner exchanges or other low-level agreements, but Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite some controversial concessions from the Trump administration, has thus far refused to drop his demand for Ukraine to accept Russia's unilateral annexation of some territory seized…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/