Abu Dhabi Talks to Focus on Ukraine Post-War Security Guarantees 2026

Post-war security guarantees for Ukraine will be a key focus at the upcoming Abu Dhabi talks, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The negotiations, set for Tuesday and Wednesday, will be mediated by the United States.

Rubio said some progress had been made on what the "security infrastructure" of Ukraine and Europe could look like after the war with Russia. His comments came ahead of his travel to Paris for talks with G7 foreign ministers.

The US delegation in Abu Dhabi will be represented by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who is also Trump's son-in-law. The talks aim to build on previous discussions and potentially lead to further advances.

Why Security Guarantees Matter

Security guarantees have repeatedly come up in US discussions about Russia and Ukraine, Rubio noted. The question of what these guarantees would look like—both for Ukraine and for the broader European continent—remains central to any settlement.

Rubio said that President Trump's allusion to advances in the "architecture" of post-conflict security reflects the importance of this issue. The talks in Abu Dhabi are expected to address these guarantees directly.

In an interview with CBS's "60 Minutes" broadcast on Sunday, Trump said he believed the war would end soon. He also suggested that Ukraine could emerge from a settlement with altered borders.

"I think we're gonna have it done, and I think it's gonna happen and they're gonna end up with a little bit different shape Ukraine," Trump said. When asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was stringing him along, Trump replied: "Oh, I don't think so."

Key Players and Stakes

The Abu Dhabi talks will bring together US envoys and representatives from Russia and Ukraine. The involvement of Witkoff and Kushner signals the administration's high-level commitment to the process.

Rubio's comments in Paris will likely set the stage for the Abu Dhabi discussions. The G7 foreign ministers' meeting will provide an opportunity to coordinate with allies on the security guarantee issue.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has also been involved in discussions, though details of France's position were not immediately clear. The European perspective on security guarantees will be crucial to any lasting agreement.

• Security guarantees are a central issue in the upcoming Abu Dhabi talks.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says progress has been made on post-war security infrastructure.
• President Trump believes the war will end soon and suggests Ukraine's borders may change.
• The US delegation includes Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
• The talks are set for Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.

What to Watch For

The outcome of the Abu Dhabi talks could shape the future of European security. Any agreement on security guarantees would need to be acceptable to Ukraine and its allies, as well as to Russia.

The US has been pushing for a negotiated end to the war. Trump's comments suggest that a settlement might involve territorial concessions by Ukraine, a sensitive topic that could complicate the talks.

Rubio's mention of "advances" indicates that some groundwork has been laid. However, the specifics of the security architecture remain unclear. Observers will be watching for concrete proposals emerging from Abu Dhabi. The background to this story is set out in US Envoys Kushner and Witkoff Push for Ukraine Peace Talks. A related thread runs through Witkoff and Kushner in Moscow to Revive Ukraine Peace Talks.

Comparing Positions on Security Guarantees

The table summarizes publicly known positions. The actual negotiations may reveal more flexibility or rigidity. Earlier coverage in Ukraine War Briefing: Trilateral Peace Talks With Russia to Restart shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Witkoff Lands in Russia for High-Stakes Ukraine Peace Talks.

FAQ

The Abu Dhabi talks represent a critical moment in the effort to end the war in Ukraine. As Rubio noted, the focus on security guarantees reflects the need for a sustainable post-conflict architecture. For a deeper look at the diplomatic maneuvering, see our report on US mediation in Abu Dhabi.

Recent battlefield developments, including Kyiv strikes and the Oleshky truce, underscore the urgency of reaching a settlement. The war's toll continues to mount, making the Abu Dhabi talks all the more significant.

Military incidents such as the F-16 crash and drone attacks highlight the risks of escalation. A failure to agree on security guarantees could prolong the conflict.

The outcome of these talks may also have implications beyond Ukraine. The sale of a UK fossil collection to Abu Dhabi illustrates the UAE's growing role in global affairs, including as a host for sensitive negotiations.