Peace negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are set to continue Saturday in Abu Dhabi, with a focus on resolving the long-running conflict in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the talks will prioritize the future of the Donbas region as the nearly four-year war enters its fourth year.
Productive Discussions Begin
The White House described Friday’s opening talks as productive, while the UAE Foreign Ministry emphasized that the meetings aim to foster dialogue and explore political solutions. Zelenskyy noted the significance of the trilateral format, saying Ukrainian officials provide updates nearly every hour. “By now, they should already have at least some answers from Russia — the key is that Russia must be ready to end this war, the one it itself started,” he stated, while cautioning that it is too early to draw conclusions about the outcomes.
Observers highlighted that this is the first known occasion where US officials from the Trump administration have met simultaneously with both Ukrainian and Russian negotiators, signaling cautious progress despite the many challenges ahead.
Russia Demands Territorial Conditions
Moscow provided limited details on the discussions, describing them as a “working group on security issues.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from eastern Donbas is a critical condition for Russia, while other issues are also under discussion. Putin’s adviser Yuri Ushakov called the talks with US envoys “frank, constructive, and fruitful,” emphasizing that a lasting settlement cannot be reached without resolving territorial disputes. Reports suggest that possible buffer zones and control measures are part of the agenda.
Who’s at the Table
Russia’s delegation, led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, includes military officials, while Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev meets separately on economic matters. The US team includes envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, and NATO’s top military commander, US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich. Ukraine is represented by 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 talks follow earlier meetings in Moscow where US envoys met 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 suggested creating a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s authority, which he believes would benefit the local economy.
