Nov 12, 2026, 07:00 AM UTC

Trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States concluded a second day in Abu Dhabi without a definitive breakthrough to end the nearly five-year war. Discussions centered on creating a new post-war security framework aimed at easing long-term tensions between Russia and NATO member states.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterised the sessions as "very productive," adding that Washington intends to eventually expand the format to include European allies. Statements from both the U.S. delegation and the European Council confirmed a shared consensus on the need to address continental security arrangements.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted positive changes in the American mediation approach. However, he maintained prior to the negotiations that Kyiv would not cede the Donbas region, warning that territorial concessions would invite further Russian military aggression.

Sources: BBC News, France24, Politico Europe (Defense), Sweden Herald, The Guardian.

Following the conclusion of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi, American envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff traveled to Moscow on Thursday to brief Russian President Vladimir Putin on the outcome. The two-day session in the United Arab Emirates yielded an agreement between Russia and Ukraine for a new prisoner exchange, though wider diplomatic breakthroughs remained elusive.

During the discussions, US negotiators stressed that European governments must appoint a single representative to participate in future peace negotiations to ensure unified Western involvement. Kushner and Witkoff also plan to consult directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

On the ground, heavy Russian bombardment targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure, leaving approximately 600,000 residents in eastern Ukraine without electricity and prompting warnings of impending blackouts in Kyiv.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

Spain's recent nationwide general strike exposed significant sector-based disparities, leaving heavy industry severely disrupted while office and service sectors saw limited effects due to widespread remote working. Information pickets focused on major supply chain hubs like Mercamadrid and Mercabarn, leading to localized clashes with law enforcement.

Political reactions escalated following the protest. Former minister Irene Montero denounced police actions, citing severe injuries among demonstrators. Meanwhile, business organizations like the CEOE characterized participation as historically low, pointing to a modest 4.7% drop in national electricity demand and calculating total economic losses at 1.7 billion euros. Mainstream trade unions framing the strike highlighted youth participation driven by housing costs, while critics framed the mobilization as a politically motivated maneuver ahead of upcoming general elections.

Sources: Canarias7, El Mundo, La Vanguardia, Marca

Severe autumnal storms have submerged temporary encampments across the Gaza Strip, expanding humanitarian risks for hundreds of thousands of displaced residents. Heavy rainfall and high winds flooded roughly 70,000 makeshift shelters in central and southern zones, including Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah, and Nuseirat.

United Nations officials and local authorities report that up to one million people now face extreme winter elements without proper shelter. Relief agencies expressed concern over looming health emergencies, citing heightened vulnerability to hypothermia and waterborne illnesses. Palestinian officials reiterated urgent calls for international pressure on Israeli authorities to allow unhindered deliveries of heavy winter gear, fuel, and vital emergency assistance.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, France24, La Repubblica, Tagesschau.

Negotiators from Kyiv and Moscow concluded two days of direct talks in Abu Dhabi, reaching a preliminary agreement on a massive prisoner exchange. The discussions, mediated by the United States, marked the first direct negotiations between the two nations in over eight months. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that a potential large-scale exchange of prisoners of war was raised, noting that American envoys plan to travel to Moscow to confer with Russian President Vladimir Putin before meeting Zelensky in Dublin. While both sides reported modest progress and agreed to maintain contact, fundamental positions regarding a broader peace settlement remain unchanged. Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération, Le Soir, RTBF Info