Kremlin confirms trilateral Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi next week

Russia will hold three-way peace talks with Ukraine ​and the United States ‌in Abu Dhabi from November 10 to 11, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Tuesday.

US envoy Steve Witkoff announced the meeting on Monday, saying the talks would focus on ending the conflict, post-conflict security arrangements and de-escalation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had also repeatedly expressed willingness to take part in trilateral talks in November.

The diplomatic push comes as a series of meetings on Ukraine are scheduled in the coming days. According to a White House statement, US ​First Lady ‌Melania Trump will ​host ​representatives from Russia ⁠and ​Ukraine at ​the White House on ​Thursday.

Meanwhile, the EU will host a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, bringing together representatives from Ukraine, the US, France, Germany, Britain, NATO and the World Bank, European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho said.

These diplomatic efforts are unfolding as the fighting continues. Ukraine struck the Slavneft Yaroslavnefteorgsintez (YANOS) oil refinery in the Russian city of Yaroslavl early on Tuesday, sparking a fire that injured two employees, regional Governor Mikhail Yevrayev said.

Russia's air defenses shot down a swarm of 124 drones, Yevrayev said, but the attack still damaged the refinery. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

(With input from agencies)