Ukraine discusses war funding and recovery with US ahead of Abu Dhabi talks

Ukraine and European partners discussed funding for the war and postwar economic recovery with US officials in Brussels on Nov. 4, as Kyiv prepared for planned US-led talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi starting Nov. 10, Hindustan Times reported, carrying Bloomberg reporting. Ukraine’s delegation presented calculations for next year’s war effort, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy separately spoke with White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Rustem Umerov, who led Ukraine’s delegation, said officials discussed the funding needed for next year, the deficit Ukraine would need to cover and possible sources. Umerov also described a postwar “prosperity plan” focused on rebuilding the country, attracting investment and creating opportunities for economic growth. The report did not give funding totals.

What Zelenskyy raised with US envoys

The Brussels meeting brought together representatives of Ukraine, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as NATO and the World Bank, according to The Kyiv Independent. The European Commission hosted the meeting, which the outlet said followed earlier discussions in Miami. Participants discussed coordinating positions for the Abu Dhabi talks alongside reconstruction and economic development.

Abu Dhabi talks are planned for Nov. 10–11

The Kyiv Independent reported that the trilateral meeting was scheduled for Nov. 10–11. An earlier agreement in principle to hold negotiations did not lead to talks after the Kremlin declined to participate, the outlet reported. The latest consultations are intended to coordinate positions before the planned round; the reports do not establish whether it will proceed or what any eventual agreement might contain.