US to mediate new Russia-Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi

This initiative represents a new effort by the administration of Donald Trump to bring Moscow and Kyiv closer, whose positions remain distant on key issues for any potential understanding. Witkoff explained that Washington intends to leverage recent diplomatic contacts in various capitals to promote broader negotiations.

In a message on the social media platform X, the official stated that the talks seek to build an understanding that allows for the establishment of lasting peace. He also noted that previous meetings in Kyiv, Oslo, and St. Petersburg are part of the efforts preceding this new diplomatic instance.

“The debates will focus on post-war security agreements, de-escalation, humanitarian measures, and the end of the war,” Witkoff said, describing the topics planned for the meetings in the United Arab Emirates.

The US envoy and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a key participant in Washington’s diplomatic efforts, are expected to lead the US representation in Abu Dhabi.

The initiative gained momentum after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to move forward with a new round of talks during a meeting with Witkoff in St. Petersburg, approximately two weeks before the announcement. The meeting was part of Washington’s direct contacts with the Kremlin to try to break the deadlock in the conflict.

Prior to traveling to the United Arab Emirates, US negotiators will hold working meetings this week in Brussels with representatives from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and NATO.

The agenda will include the guarantees that could be offered to Ukraine to prevent new aggressions once the conflict is over, as well as the conditions for organizing a European security scheme that takes into account the consequences of the war. Economic assistance mechanisms to finance Ukrainian reconstruction will also be analyzed.

According to a US official, the meetings in Brussels will allow progress on issues already discussed between the parties. The initiative responds to Trump’s commitment to achieving “a lasting peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.”

Despite the reactivation of contacts, there is still no understanding of the fundamental conditions to stop the war. Russia and Ukraine maintain differences over the future of occupied territories, security guarantees, and the political and military conditions that should govern after a potential cessation of hostilities.

Trump has increased pressure on the Ukrainian government of Volodimir Zelensky in recent months to accept moving towards an agreement. This strategy has generated friction with Ukrainian authorities, who maintain that any solution must preserve the country’s sovereignty and prevent Moscow from resuming its military operations in the future.

The US president has also held direct conversations with Putin and promoted initiatives related to energy sanctions against Russia, another issue that has created differences between Washington and Kyiv.

The resumption of diplomatic efforts comes against a backdrop of continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory. On Monday, a bombing on a school in the town of Komishuvaja, in the Zaporiyia region, left at least 24 people dead, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

The facility was used to distribute humanitarian assistance to the population. Among the victims were two members of rescue teams and four police officers. President Zelensky denounced that Russian forces attacked a place intended to provide aid to civilians.

“The attacks were directed at a school used for humanitarian purposes, people were receiving humanitarian aid there,” the president stated.