Diplomatic ceremony": political scientist on negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi The special envoy of the United States Steve Witkoff announced negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi mediated by Washington. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 10-11. Before that, American negotiators will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine in Brussels with France, Germany, Great Britain, the European Union and NATO. Political scientist Vadim Popov, in the MK commentary, called the announcement more a diplomatic ceremony than a real step towards ending the conflict. According to him, the UAE is a convenient neutral platform with a reputation as a country in the Global South, friendly to Moscow, but neutrality does not equate to effectiveness. Europe, the expert believes, is trying with all its might to influence the process, but risks "staying in the waiting room" and not entering the decisive path. "The negotiations in Abu Dhabi will probably end with an exchange of positions and perhaps also an agreement on humanitarian issues. Real change will require the direct participation of leaders, or the willingness of the parties to make painful compromises - neither one nor the other is on the horizon." Popov concluded.