Lavrov Backs Security-First Agenda for Abu Dhabi Talks

Russia's top diplomat gave a thumbs-up Monday to putting security front and center at the three-way sit-down between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv, set for Nov. 10-11 in Abu Dhabi. Sergey Lavrov said the agenda should cover Russian and Ukrainian security along with that of the wider region. He told reporters the aim is to lock in principles that could later feed into a possible

Brussels is pushing its way into the room. Politico reported Monday that the EU will send two delegates: Bjoern Seibert, head of cabinet for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Anna-Maria Boura, chief foreign policy advisor to European Council President Antonio Costa. The sources didn't say whether the EU pair will actually get a seat at the negotiation table.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that Kyiv had sent

The fighting hasn't paused for the diplomacy. Ukraine's General Staff said Monday its forces struck the Morozov Plant Joint Stock Company near St. Petersburg, a facility it says Russia uses to produce rocket fuel, explosives and missile components, calling it

In Odessa, Serhiy Lysak, head of the city's military administration, reported that Russian strikes killed three people and left one injured and in critical condition after hitting an infrastructure facility. His first update of the morning had said the night passed without attacks.

Lavrov himself won't be in Lugano, Switzerland, for the OSCE Foreign Ministers' Council on Dec. 3-4, Interfax reported Monday. According to a source familiar with the matter, Russia will still send a delegation — just not led by him, even though Switzerland's foreign ministry had extended him an invitation.