Negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and US to resume in Abu Dhabi

The discussions will follow a recent assessment by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who stated that battlefield successes have strengthened Ukraine’s negotiating position. Zelenskyy reported significant Russian losses and highlighted the impact of Ukraine’s long-range strikes within Russia. He urged the United States to press the Kremlin towards ending the conflict.

President Trump expressed optimism, stating he sees a “very strong inclination” towards ending the war and that both sides are “tired of fighting.” He initially pledged to swiftly resolve the conflict upon taking office in January 2025, but a resolution has remained elusive since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

A US official, speaking anonymously, indicated that both Russia and Ukraine have privately shown some willingness to consider territorial exchanges. Security guarantees for Ukraine, potentially modeled on Article 5 of NATO’s treaty, are expected to be a key topic. The territorial aspects are anticipated to be addressed later in the process, contingent on resolving other issues like a post-war security framework.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that substantial progress still needs to be made. Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation, while Russia will be represented by Vladimir Medinsky, Sergei Ryabkov, and Yuri Zhigarlovsky. While European powers will be present, Russia has expressed a preference for a direct three-way format, excluding European participation in the core negotiations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the focus on security guarantees and the trilateral nature of the talks.