Russia and Ukraine to hold US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi in November

Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to hold negotiations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in November, with US mediation, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Russia has expressed readiness to resume peace talks, which have been stalled since early this year. The announcement follows a Wednesday meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's special envoy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also expressed support for the talks, which come amid ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure that have left over 500,000 people without electricity. The US is reportedly seeking to revive a peace deal that would include a demilitarized zone in the Donbas and Ukraine's renunciation of NATO membership, according to The Economist. Meanwhile, the EU plans to cover two-thirds of Ukraine's additional €70 billion funding request for 2027, with a decision expected in November.