Negotiators from Europe, Ukraine, the United States and NATO will meet in Brussels on Wednesday ahead of the resumption of US-mediated talks to end Russia’s war on Ukraine, the European Commission has said.
Representatives from Kiev, the US, France, Germany, Britain, NATO and the World Bank will attend, EU spokesperson Paula Pinho told reporters on Tuesday.
Pinho said the meeting “will build on earlier talks that took place in Miami” and aims at “lasting, sustainable peace in Ukraine”.
She also said the discussions will focus on “Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and prosperity”. European officials will take part at the national security adviser level. She did not say who will represent the US.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the Brussels meeting earlier this week. He said on Monday that Washington will also mediate working-level talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 November.
Steps toward peace
Witkoff said the talks aim to advance US President Donald Trump’s “mission to end the war”. He said discussions will cover post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts and next steps toward peace.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Tuesday that a Russian delegation will travel to the Emirati capital for the trilateral negotiations. He said presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky will lead Moscow’s team.
Russia and Ukraine last held US-mediated talks earlier this year, with three rounds on 23-24 January, 4-5 February and 17-18 February. The first two took place in Abu Dhabi and the third in Geneva.
Possible Russia-China-US meeting at APEC
Peskov also said work is under way to arrange a meeting between the Russian, Chinese and US presidents on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. China hosts the summit in Shenzhen on 18-19 November.
He said Moscow hopes the matter will be settled “in the coming days” and described China as the main organising force.
Peskov added that Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure continue, while Moscow takes “vigorous” measures to limit their impact. He said the effectiveness of Russian defences has “increased significantly”.
“However, it is, unfortunately, impossible to be completely protected. That is why the special military operation continues,” he said, using Moscow’s term for the war in Ukraine.
