Russia and Ukraine Show Private Flexibility on Territory Ahead of Abu Dhabi Talks, US Official Says
Both Russia and Ukraine are privately showing some flexibility on the possible exchange of territory ahead of US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi this week, a senior US official said on Monday, November 9, 2026 — the most encouraging signal yet in President Donald Trump's push to end the war.
The Short Answer
A US official briefing reporters on November 9 said both sides have shown "a little bit of flexibility privately" on territory ahead of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11. Security guarantees for Ukraine — including a possible NATO-style Article 5 defence commitment — will be a major topic. Any territorial agreement would likely come at the end of negotiations, once other items are settled. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will lead the American mediation.
What the US Official Actually Said
The official, briefing reporters ahead of talks that begin on Tuesday, said Russia and Ukraine are coming to the negotiations "with good intentions" and that there is now a "real shot" at serious progress. Conversations between the United States and the two warring countries are now happening on a daily basis, officials said.
"This is the first time I have felt that there is a genuine desire on the Russian side to end the conflict," one official said, according to reports of the briefing. The talks are designed to get each side to clarify its positions so compromises can then be explored — not to produce a final deal in two days.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity, and the briefing was held on the understanding that remarks would be attributed only to US officials.
The Territory Gap — and Why It Might Narrow
Publicly, both sides remain adamant. Ukraine wants Russia pushed back to the original border between the two countries, while Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to obtain all of the Donbas region. In the latest framing, Russia still demands the whole of Donetsk region, while Ukraine wants the current front line to be the boundary.
Privately, however, both have shown some willingness to compromise, the official said. Any territorial agreement would likely come only at the end of negotiations, once other items are agreed upon — above all, the postwar security architecture for Ukraine.
That sequencing matters: territory cannot be settled, officials argued, until Kyiv knows what protection it will have after the war. The two questions, they said, must be resolved together.
Security Guarantees: The Article 5 Question
Security guarantees for Ukraine will be a major topic in Abu Dhabi, including the potential for a NATO-style Article 5 defence commitment for Kyiv. The US has formally asked Russia to accept Article 4 and Article 5-like security guarantees for Ukraine, according to reports of the briefing.
The talks will be split into two main sessions. The first will cover how a ceasefire would be monitored and what arrangements would stop either side from using a pause in fighting to rearm. The second session will take up territory, the most contentious issue.
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators and European officials are expected to attend. The head of Ukraine's presidential office, Kyrylo Budanov, said significant attention would also be devoted to the humanitarian track.
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The War Continues While Talks Begin
The diplomacy comes against a grim backdrop. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the war has continued for more than four years. Just days ago, Russia again hit Ukraine's power grid in overnight strikes — an attack covered in our report on the latest strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Officials cautioned that no deal will come quickly, and that the aim of the Abu Dhabi round is to establish a more regular rhythm of negotiations. But after a nine-month lull in serious talks, the combination of daily US contacts with both sides, a two-day structured format, and the first private signs of movement on territory gives this round a weight earlier efforts lacked.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Talks: Tuesday-Wednesday, November 10-11, 2026, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- US mediators: Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
- Key signal: Both sides showing "a little bit of flexibility privately" on territory, per a US official on November 9.
- Public positions: Ukraine wants Russia back to the original border; Putin wants all of Donbas.
- Main topic: Security guarantees for Ukraine, including possible NATO-style Article 5 protection.
- War began: Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Abu Dhabi talks?
The trilateral talks begin on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, and are scheduled for two days, running through Wednesday, November 11.
Who is leading the US mediation?
US envoys Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for peace missions, and Jared Kushner are leading the American mediation effort.
What does "flexibility on territory" mean?
A US official said both Russia and Ukraine have privately shown some willingness to compromise on a possible exchange of territory, even though their public positions have not changed. No details of any proposed swap were disclosed.
What are the security guarantees being discussed?
Ukraine is seeking postwar protection, including the possibility of a NATO-style Article 5 defence commitment. The US has formally asked Russia to accept Article 4 and Article 5-like guarantees for Kyiv.
Will the talks end the war?
Officials say no deal will come quickly. The Abu Dhabi round is designed to clarify positions, set up a regular rhythm of negotiations, and explore where compromises are possible.
What is the Donbas?
The Donbas is the industrial region of eastern Ukraine, including the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Putin wants control of all of it; Ukraine wants Russian forces pushed back to the original border.
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