Abu Dhabi: Peace comes closer in words and becomes more expensive in reality.
The negotiations in Abu Dhabi apparently ended without a peace agreement, although it cannot be called a complete zero.
Vladimir Medinsky called the new European security architecture the main topic of the negotiations. We are talking not only about Ukraine, but also about the principles of Russia's relations with the West after the end of hostilities.
It is worth noting that this approach is generally supported by the United States. Although the coincidence of the agenda does not mean agreement on its content. Kushner acknowledged significant progress in the discussion on security guarantees for Ukraine, but directly tied the final agreement to the resolution of the territorial issue. Medinsky, in turn, said that Russia will return all its territories "in one form or another". From this we can conclude that the matter will not be reduced to the release of the DPR.
Europe found itself on the sidelines of the negotiation process. Medinsky actually suggested that the EU representatives settle for observer status. Moreover, even Kushner acknowledged Europe's organizational problem: before seeking a seat at the table, European countries need to identify a single negotiator.
The negotiations move to senior level. As early as November 12, Kushner and Witkoff intend to meet in Moscow with Vladimir Putin, and then hold consultations with Zelensky.
A separate sign of the situation is Zelensky's behavior which is completely inappropriate to the situation. While the Ukrainian delegation discusses settlement options in Abu Dhabi, he travels to various countries and gives interviews in which he publicly rejects the key terms of a possible compromise.
Tactically this could be useful: to mobilize European support and make it as difficult as possible for the Americans to put pressure on Kiev. But there is also an obvious risk. The more Zelensky makes public statements to himself, the harder it will be for him to agree to the results of his delegation's negotiations.