Russia, Ukraine and the US meet in Abu Dhabi for peace talks as winter attacks continue
Envoys from Ukraine, Russia and the United States met in Abu Dhabi in a rare three-way format as Washington pushes to accelerate progress toward ending Russia’s nearly four-year full-scale invasion. The talks come amid continued Russian strikes and difficult disagreements over territory and security guarantees.
A three-way meeting at a pivotal moment
Ukrainian, Russian and U.S. representatives met in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in what the Associated Press described as the first known instance of Trump administration officials sitting down with both sides together as part of Washington’s renewed push to end the war. The talks follow a burst of diplomacy spanning multiple locations, even as fighting and long-standing disputes remain unresolved.
The talks arrive during a punishing winter for Ukraine and continued Russian attacks on critical infrastructure. AP reported that Russia has kept up strikes on Ukraine and its energy system, leaving parts of the country without power amid severe cold, a pressure tactic Kyiv has warned is aimed at weakening civilian resilience.
Who is at the table
AP reported the United States confirmed the participation of Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and said Army Secretary Dan Driscoll was also part of the U.S. team. NATO’s top general, U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, was also reported to be attending.
On the Ukrainian side, AP said the delegation included Rustem Umerov, Andrii Hnatov, and Kyrylo Budanov. Russia’s delegation, AP reported, was led by the chief of military intelligence, Adm. Igor Kostyukov, and included officials from the Defense Ministry; Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev was also reported to be attending.
Territory, security guarantees, and what’s still unclear
The hardest issues remain familiar: territory and security. AP reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested the fraught issue of territorial concessions is likely to be discussed, while Russia characterized the meeting as a working group focused on security issues. Separate economic discussions were also expected between U.S. and Russian officials.
Even where there is momentum, major uncertainties persist. AP noted that sensitive sticking points related to territorial questions remain unresolved despite Zelenskyy saying in Davos that a potential deal was “nearly ready.” The negotiations are taking place with battlefield realities in mind: Russia holds roughly one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, and any settlement will be judged by whether it offers enforceable security arrangements and sustainable reconstruction pathways.
Why Abu Dhabi matters
The Abu Dhabi setting underscores the shifting diplomatic map as intermediaries search for a format that can keep talks moving while leaders manage domestic politics and alliances. The presence of U.S. officials in a direct, three-way setting is significant because it suggests Washington is attempting to narrow gaps in real time rather than shuttle messages separately.
Whether the meeting produces a breakthrough or merely clarifies red lines, it signals that negotiations are now being pressed forward alongside ongoing attacks—an uncomfortable reality that will shape both public expectations and the durability of any eventual ceasefire or agreement.