The Main Thrill Of Abu Dhabi

• Vadim Denisenko
• 11.11.2026, 8:55

What's happening behind the scenes of the November talks.

Negotiations in Abu Dhabi. Two “dilemmas” of Putin’s “peace plan.”

The main negotiations currently underway are not negotiations with Ukraine. The main negotiations are with the EU regarding the lifting of sanctions. The Russian side’s decision to raise the level of its delegation is not about Ukraine; it is primarily about the EU and the lifting of sanctions.

Negotiations with Ukraine boil down to: a) Donbas; b) non-alignment; c) allowing Russian political parties; d) the Russian Orthodox Church and the use of the Russian language; e) restrictions on the production of certain types of weapons.

The key issues are Donbas and weapons. But according to Putin’s logic: if the EU refuses to lift sanctions, there is no point in negotiating anything with Ukraine. If it does agree, it will be the EU itself that puts pressure on Ukraine due to financial problems.

Trump and the U.S. are important primarily for putting pressure on the EU, since it is the U.S. that can ensure Europe’s security. And that is what the Europeans discussed with the Americans in Brussels last week. And what they will continue to discuss over the coming months.

Does Ukraine have any independent position on this matter? For now, yes, because the EU still adheres to certain values. But our position—that Russia must be isolated—is undergoing very serious erosion. This is very clearly evident in sports, where 2026 has become a turning point. Discussions between the Finns, Norwegians, and—most importantly—the Germans with the Russians are shaping the changes that are highly likely to occur in 2027. And we need to prepare for these changes, rather than trying to operate under the logic of 2022. Especially since there has been no “betrayal” so far.

The negotiations in Abu Dhabi will be interesting for one reason alone: whether the Americans will be ready to begin shifting their position, which Trump cemented in Anchorage. At that time, Putin achieved the most important thing: it’s possible to negotiate while continuing the war. Although everything suggests that this won’t happen. Therefore, we should focus first and foremost on whether the EU’s position is changing or not.

Vadim Denisenko, Facebook