Peace negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine are set to continue Saturday in Abu Dhabi, with representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States meeting for the first extended tripartite discussions in years. The talks focus on finding a political resolution to the nearly four-year conflict, with particular attention on contested territories in eastern Ukraine.
Donbas Takes Center Stage
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the talks are expected to focus heavily on the future of the Donbas region. “Ukrainian representatives report to me almost every hour — this is important because there have not been such trilateral meetings for a long time,” he said in a social media video. Zelenskyy added that Russia must show willingness to end the war it started, but cautioned that it is too early to draw conclusions about the outcomes of the discussions.
The White House described Friday’s opening day of talks as productive, while the UAE’s foreign ministry said the meetings are part of broader efforts to “promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.”
Russia Signals Territorial Preconditions
Moscow provided limited details, calling the discussions a “working group on security issues.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from eastern Donbas remains a key condition for Russia, with other matters under discussion.
Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, described the talks with US officials as “frank, constructive, and fruitful,” but stressed that any long-term settlement cannot proceed without resolving territorial disputes. Russian state media also reported that potential buffer zones and control mechanisms were part of the agenda.
Who’s in the Room
Russia’s delegation is led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, alongside senior military officials, while Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev is holding separate talks on economic matters with US representatives.
The United States is represented by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, joined by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and NATO’s top military commander, Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich. Ukraine’s delegation includes Rustem Umerov, head of the national security and defense council, Chief of General Staff Andrii Hnatov, and Kyrylo Budanov, head of the presidential office.
The Abu Dhabi talks follow earlier meetings in Moscow, where US envoys met with President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin indicated that any settlement would require Kyiv to withdraw from territories Russia has annexed but does not fully control. Zelenskyy also confirmed in Davos that peace proposals are “nearly ready” and expressed openness to creating a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control, which he said could benefit Ukrainian businesses.
