U.S. to mediate Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11

The U.S. will mediate working-level talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials on Nov. 10-11 in Abu Dhabi, focusing on post-war security, de-escalation, and peace steps, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announced Tuesday. Witkoff said American negotiators will meet this week with European and NATO allies, including France, Germany, and the U.K., to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, a key demand from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The talks follow a rare, localized cease-fire in Kherson that ended Sunday. Russia has continued strikes across Ukraine, killing at least 29 people in Zaporizhzhia and wounding 25 in Kharkiv. Moscow reported destroying 500 Ukrainian drones overnight, while Putin still demands Ukraine accept Russia's annexation of seized territory, which Zelenskyy has ruled out.