US, Russia, Ukraine Hold Trilateral Talks in Abu Dhabi to End War
Abu Dhabi – The United States, Russia, and Ukraine have commenced trilateral talks in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, marking the first substantive negotiations aimed at ending the war that has raged for more than four-and-a-half years. The discussions, scheduled to last two days, represent a significant diplomatic shift following months of stalemate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the nation on Monday evening, asserting that recent military successes on the battlefield are strengthening Kyiv’s negotiating position. He stated that every defensive operation completed successfully increases Ukraine’s strength and enhances its leverage in peace talks. The three-sided meeting involves negotiators from all three nations, with the United States playing a central mediating role.
The American delegation is led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who is also the son-in-law of former President Donald Trump. In Washington, Trump expressed optimism about the potential for a resolution, noting a strong inclination from both sides to end the fighting. He described the desired outcome as a big, beautiful agreement that might involve broader European participation. However, critics have raised concerns that the US administration could attempt to bypass European leaders to negotiate terms favorable to Moscow. Trump previously suggested that Ukraine might need to cede territory in any final deal, which would result in a conflict ending in a different shape than initially anticipated.
Security guarantees for Ukraine are expected to be a central topic during the sessions. A US official indicated that discussions will include the possibility of Kyiv receiving NATO-style Article 5 defense commitments, which protect member states against attack. Any territorial agreements are likely to be addressed only after other issues, such as postwar security architecture, are resolved. Both Ukraine and Russia remain adamant regarding territorial integrity. Ukraine demands the withdrawal of Russian forces to the original borders, while President Vladimir Putin insists on retaining control over the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Previous diplomatic rounds failed due to these irreconcilable positions.
European officials, including representatives from France, Germany, and the European Commission, are not directly participating in the negotiations, adhering to Russia’s insistence on excluding them. Instead, the Ukrainian delegation, led by foreign intelligence chief Rustem Umerov, will hold separate meetings to brief their European allies on progress. Umerov emphasized key priorities including ending hostilities, securing reliable postwar security guarantees, ensuring economic recovery, and taking humanitarian steps. European leaders have expressed frustration over their exclusion, fearing that a deal favorable to Russia could be forced through without their input. The talks in Abu Dhabi continue as the international community watches closely for any breakthroughs in the prolonged conflict.
This report was produced in the Europe Brief News newsroom.
