Russia-Ukraine War
US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine ended their two-day round in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 11 without a breakthrough on the war but with an agreement in principle on a large prisoner exchange. Russia's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said the sides 'reached a fundamental agreement on another large-scale prisoner exchange,' with details to be announced soon; Ukraine's Rustem Umerov said details would be worked out in Moscow and warned of 'a great deal of difficult work ahead.' No headcount has been published. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner said territory remains the hardest issue; they are due to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow on the morning of Nov. 12, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said, before meeting Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin. Overnight into Nov. 11, Russia launched 163 drones, 91 of them jet-powered, plus missiles; six major power facilities in four regions were hit and seven civilians were wounded in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia and one in Kyiv, AP reported. Russia said two people were killed by Ukrainian drones in Smolensk and three workers were injured at Ust-Luga port. Casualty figures come from the two sides.
Background
After Euromaidan protests ousted President Yanukovych in 2014, Russia seized and annexed Crimea, and in April pro-Russian separatists declared independence in Donetsk and Luhansk, starting the Donbas war. The February 2015 Minsk II agreement set a ceasefire that was repeatedly violated. On February 24, 2022 Russia launched a full-scale invasion, attacking Kyiv and other major cities.
Key issues
- Status of occupied territory
- Security guarantees and post-war security framework
- Energy-infrastructure strikes and ceasefire terms
Key milestones
| 2014-03 | Russia annexes Crimea |
|---|---|
| 2014-04 | Donbas war begins |
| 2015-02 | Minsk II ceasefire agreement |
| 2022-02 | Russia launches full-scale invasion |
Parties
Russia vs Ukraine (US-brokered trilateral talks pending)
Countries involved
What changed since yesterday
Abu Dhabi talks end with deal in principle on large prisoner swap
The two-day US-Russia-Ukraine talks ended on Nov. 11 without a ceasefire breakthrough but with an agreement in principle on a large prisoner exchange. No numbers were given; US envoys meet Putin on Nov. 12 and then Zelenskyy in Dublin.
Key events in the last 30 days
| 11-12 | War & ConflictAbu Dhabi talks end with deal in principle on large prisoner swap |
|---|---|
| 11-11 | War & ConflictUS-Russia-Ukraine talks resume in Abu Dhabi after nine months |
| 11-09 | War & ConflictKyiv strike exposes Patriot interceptor shortage; Northern Bridge damaged |
| 11-08 | War & ConflictRussia fires 36 ballistic missiles and 172 drones at Kyiv; substation tied to nuclear plants hit |
| 11-07 | War & ConflictZelensky warns of new Russian strike on grid and bridges |
| 11-05 | War & ConflictRussia hits Ukraine energy grid with 289 drones, 76 missiles |
| 11-04 | War & ConflictRussian strike reportedly kills at least 18 civilians in Zaporizhzhia |
| 11-03 | War & ConflictOleshky truce expires, Russia resumes Kherson attacks |
| 11-02 | Geopolitics & DiplomacyAbu Dhabi trilateral talks date unsettled |
| 10-31 | War & ConflictOleshky evacuation and aid begin under truce |
| 10-30 | War & ConflictOleshky truce holds 54 hours, extended across Kherson Oblast; evacuation still in preparation |
| 10-29 | War & ConflictOleshky ceasefire holds 30 hours; Abu Dhabi technical talks planned for November |
| 10-28 | War & ConflictWhite House announces localized Oleshky ceasefire |
| 10-27 | War & ConflictUN commission calls Russian energy strikes crimes against humanity; five European states pledge air defence |
| 10-26 | War & ConflictRussia fires about 30 ballistic missiles at Ukrainian energy facilities in early hours of 24 October |
Key relations
-
Tension🇷🇺 Russia → 🇺🇦 Ukraine
Abu Dhabi talks end with only a prisoner-swap deal
The trilateral talks that ended on Nov. 11 produced agreement in principle on a large prisoner swap but no breakthrough on territory or a ceasefire. Medinsky said Russia would reclaim 'every inch' of its land.
-
Support🇺🇸 United States → 🇺🇦 Ukraine
US-mediated Abu Dhabi round, more talks expected
The Nov. 10-11 talks mediated by envoys Witkoff and Kushner yielded an agreement in principle on a large prisoner swap, with more talks expected. G7 foreign ministers pledged to step up support for Ukraine through the winter.
-
Support🇷🇺 Russia → 🇮🇷 Iran
Russia-Iran alignment
Moscow and Tehran have stressed close ties since Lavrov's visit to Iran. Ghalibaf claimed US officials asked Putin during a Moscow visit to mediate direct talks with Tehran (not independently verified).
Other issues in these countries
- Geopolitics & Diplomacy🇷🇺 Russia
Medinsky cites 'mutual understanding' on some issues, more talks; insists Russia will reclaim 'every inch'
- Finance & Economy🇷🇺 Russia
Rouble near 83.5 per dollar
- Tech & Energy🇷🇺 Russia
Ukraine claims 51% of Russian refining capacity knocked out
- Geopolitics & Diplomacy🇺🇦 Ukraine
Abu Dhabi talks end with deal in principle on large prisoner swap, no breakthrough on territory or ceasefire