Russia Upgrades Delegation for Ukraine Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi

Russia's delegation to talks with the U.S. and Ukraine will include senior diplomats and military officers. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced the lineup to Interfax.

• Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky again leads Russia's team as chief negotiator.
• Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov joins the talks for the first time.
• Senior General Staff officer Yuri Zhigarlovsky is also new to the delegation.
• 36 ballistic missiles and 172 drones hit Ukraine overnight, Zelenskyy said.

Why it matters: The Abu Dhabi round is the first since Geneva in February. Western backers of the effort concede core territorial and security issues remain open.

• 9 people, including a child, were wounded in Saturday's strikes.
• Russia's Defense Ministry said it targeted a bridge, power sites and arms plants.

How 2 sources split on this story

Where they split: Coverage divides over emphasis: whether the story is Moscow's negotiating lineup or Russia's attacks on Ukraine ahead of the talks.

What’s next: Negotiators meet Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. Putin met the full delegation Friday at a Security Council session.

• Zelenskyy urged Congress to back Ukraine on a bipartisan basis and toughen sanctions on Russia.
• Does adding Ryabkov and a General Staff officer signal new Russian positions?
• Can any formula bridge the unresolved territorial and security questions?