Ukraine peace talks restart in Abu Dhabi

Ukrainian and Russian negotiators will sit across from American counterparts in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, marking the first trilateral peace talks since February. For residents of both nations, the meeting represents a resumption of direct diplomatic contact after a months-long silence. The session occurs as the fifth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion nears.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has pushed for a resolution since he took office in his second term. Trump previously claimed he could end the war within a day. His team has organized several rounds of discussions, though none have produced a final settlement so far.

The last trilateral meeting took place in Geneva in February. It concluded without a breakthrough. Following that session, the US-Israel conflict with Iran diverted Washington’s attention. No further trilateral discussions occurred until now.

A major point of contention remains the status of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. Russia currently occupies most of the area. Moscow demands that Ukraine cede the remaining Ukrainian-held sections. Kyiv argues for freezing the contact line to retain control over those territories. Kyiv officials state these areas are essential for future security.

A US official speaking on the eve of the talks said both sides have shown private flexibility on the territorial question. The official noted that the public stances have not changed yet. He added that the territorial issue cannot be resolved without first agreeing on a postwar security architecture. He stated that the two issues are linked and cannot be finalized separately.

The proposed security framework includes regular consultations, crisis hotlines, and reciprocal de-escalation measures. Officials also discussed reactivating the NATO-Russia Council, which has been paused since 2022. For Ukraine, this architecture might guarantee allied support if attacked again. For Russia, it could involve a NATO retreat from eastern Europe.

European leaders have expressed concern about being excluded from these talks. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for including NATO allies and EU members in meaningful discussions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also urged for European participation. The US official said Washington would propose a multilateral format to include Europeans. He acknowledged that Russia has reservations about European involvement.

Jared Kushner, a member of the US delegation, said the talks would focus on postwar security concerns. He described the process as difficult and complicated. He wrote on social media that the US is approaching the discussions with realism. He added that the Abu Dhabi meeting aims to build momentum for the next phase.

The Russian delegation includes Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, Deputy Foreign Ministers Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin, and military officials. The Ukrainian team includes Foreign Intelligence Service head Rustem Umerov, Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov, and MP Davyd Arakhamiya.

Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Merezhko, who heads the foreign affairs parliamentary committee, expressed skepticism. He told the BBC that he believes Trump seeks a quick deal that favors Russia. Merezhko said Kyiv would likely reject such a deal. He argued that Russia needs greater pressure from sanctions and military strikes to negotiate in good faith. He cited Trump’s recent diesel deal with Russia as a move that encourages Moscow to continue the war.

Russia has continued to strike Ukrainian energy infrastructure during the pause in talks. Kyiv views these attacks as an attempt to force Ukraine to accept Russian terms. The Abu Dhabi talks are scheduled to proceed despite the ongoing bombardments.

The US delegation includes peace envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The meeting in Abu Dhabi will test whether the private flexibility noted by US officials translates into concrete proposals on the table.