Efforts to end Russia’s nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine continue with high-level talks in Abu Dhabi, involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the discussions will focus on the future of the eastern Donbas region, a key point of contention in any potential settlement.
Zelenskyy Stresses Urgency and Communication
Speaking on social media, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian negotiators are providing updates almost hourly, highlighting the rarity and significance of trilateral meetings. “By now, they should already have at least some answers from Russia,” he said. Zelenskyy added that the crucial factor is Moscow’s readiness to end the war it started, though he cautioned that it is too early to draw conclusions from the first day of discussions. The White House described the talks as productive, while the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the meetings aim to promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.
Moscow Signals Territorial Demands
Russia provided limited details, calling the talks a “working group on security issues.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from eastern Donbas remains a key condition for Russia, though other issues are also under discussion. Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, described the talks with US officials as “frank, constructive, and fruitful,” noting that a long-term settlement is unlikely without resolving territorial disputes. Russian media reported that possible buffer zones and control mechanisms were also considered.
Delegations and Previous Meetings
Russia’s delegation is led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, with military officials present, while Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev is meeting US representatives separately on economic matters. The US delegation includes Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, and NATO’s top military commander, General Alexus Grynkewich. Ukraine is represented by Rustem Umerov, Andrii Hnatov, and Kyrylo Budanov.
These Abu Dhabi talks follow meetings in Moscow earlier in the week, where Witkoff and Kushner met President Putin to discuss potential settlements. The Kremlin stated that any peace deal would require Ukraine to withdraw from territories Russia claims but does not fully control. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said after meeting Trump in Davos that peace proposals are “nearly ready” and expressed openness to establishing a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s authority, a move he suggested could benefit Ukrainian businesses.
