Delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States met Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for a new round of U.S.-mediated negotiations aimed at ending the nearly five-year war following Moscow’s invasion. The opening session lasted nearly four hours, with a second day of talks scheduled for Wednesday.
Core Topics and Initial Reactions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the discussions as constructive and substantive, noting they focused largely on humanitarian matters such as prisoner exchanges, the return of captured Ukrainian civilians, and children taken from the country. Security guarantees were also addressed during the meetings, according to Zelenskyy speaking at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Paris at a Group of Seven meeting, called the talks very productive while cautioning that significant work remains ahead. Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law who is brokering the settlement alongside U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, stated that he believes there are good ideas available to bridge the gaps between the two sides.
The negotiations take place as fighting continues unabated along the front lines, accompanied by fresh long-range strikes from both nations. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 162 drones and a ballistic missile overnight, while the Russian Defense Ministry stated that its forces downed 155 Ukrainian drones across eight regions and the Crimean Peninsula.
Negotiation Framework and Delegations
Kushner stated in opening remarks that the primary goal is to create a new framework and understanding by building upon past institutions and experiences, aiming to establish the foundation for decades or centuries of peace. U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, a NATO commander also in attendance, highlighted past progress in trilateral military-to-military dialogues.
Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service and leader of the Kyiv delegation, thanked the U.S. for its diplomatic efforts and expressed hope for a lasting peace. Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation and an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, stated that he hopes the meeting advances the path toward peace for the peoples of both Russia and Ukraine.
Umerov noted that the day began with a preliminary meeting involving the Ukrainian team, U.S. envoys, and representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO, and the European Commission. Russia and Ukraine maintain deeply divergent positions, with Moscow demanding territorial concessions, limits on Ukraine’s military, and abandonment of NATO aspirations, while Kyiv rejects ceding territory or military restrictions and calls for an immediate ceasefire.
A second round of the talks is expected to continue on Wednesday in the UAE capital.
