Nov 13, 2026, 08:30 PM UTC

Following preliminary trilateral discussions in Abu Dhabi, U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner conducted diplomatic visits to Moscow and Ireland. The envoys met with Russian President Vladimir Putin before consulting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

While initial negotiations concluded without a definitive breakthrough to end the conflict, officials indicated progress regarding long-term planning. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the talks as "very productive," noting that substantial efforts remain necessary. Discussions centered on reviewing post-war European security frameworks to reduce friction between Russia and NATO members. Both American and Ukrainian representatives confirmed that European delegates will directly participate in upcoming negotiation rounds to help forge a durable continental agreement.

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

United States negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff announced following diplomatic meetings in Moscow and Dublin that European nations will join future negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. According to the envoys, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to widen the framework, enabling future rounds to address broader post-war European security arrangements alongside core territorial disputes.

US representatives urged European leaders to select a single negotiator to represent the continent in upcoming sessions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the development, noting that Europe would secure a direct voice at the table. Despite ongoing differences between Kyiv and Moscow, envoys also reported progress toward a potential major prisoner exchange.

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

United States envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have concluded two days of negotiations in Abu Dhabi with Ukrainian and Russian delegates. The meetings focused on establishing a revised framework for diplomatic progress. Following the sessions, the American delegation scheduled briefings with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Dublin, where Zelensky noted a window of opportunity for progress before the year ends.

European representatives, including the E4 group, NATO, and the European Commission, held parallel coordination sessions with Kiev's negotiators. Italian diplomatic sources emphasized the necessity of streamlining negotiation formats, warning that fragmented diplomatic tracks play into Moscow's hands.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov confirmed ongoing consultations as reports surfaced that Ukrainian and Belarusian hackers breached Russian statistical databases, claiming records show over 400,000 Russian military casualties.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica

Following trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in Abu Dhabi, conflicting assessments have emerged regarding potential progress toward ending the war. While Ukrainian representatives cited positive dynamics and voiced hope for a resolution by year-end, concrete outcomes remain confined to a major prisoner exchange of over 2,000 individuals and discussions on returning displaced children.

Substantive gaps persist as Moscow maintains maximalist demands. Reports suggest Russian proposals extend beyond Ukrainian territory to target NATO's regional structure, including demands for Finland's withdrawal from the alliance and restrictions on Baltic bases. Russian President Vladimir Putin subsequently tempered expectations of an immediate breakthrough during meetings with U.S. envoys, underscoring deep divisions over territorial concessions and long-term security guarantees for Kyiv.

Sources: Český rozhlas Plus, Deník N, Ekonomický deník, Hospodářské noviny, Respect, Seznam Zprávy

Emergency services across the Baltic region have stood down following overnight air raid alerts linked to a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Kirishi oil refinery near St. Petersburg. The strike ignited a fire and triggered multiple explosions at the facility, resulting in one civilian death from falling debris.

During the operation, at least four drones breached the airspace of neighboring Baltic nations. The intrusions prompted NATO to deploy fighter jets and led Finnish officials to enact temporary maritime and airspace restrictions. Civil defense systems and regional air traffic management returned to standard operations after officials verified that the uncrewed aerial vehicles had left NATO airspace without inflicting structural damage on allied territory.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net