Peace negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine are set to continue Saturday in Abu Dhabi, bringing together officials from Ukraine, Russia and the United States. The talks come as the war nears its fourth year, with all sides under pressure to show signs of progress.
Donbas at the Heart of the Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the discussions are expected to focus heavily on the future of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, a long-contested area that remains central to any potential settlement. He said Ukrainian negotiators are providing him with near-hourly updates, highlighting the significance of the moment.
“There haven’t been trilateral meetings like this for a long time,” Zelenskyy said in a video message. He added that Ukraine expects clearer answers from Moscow, stressing that Russia must demonstrate a genuine willingness to end the war it launched. Still, he cautioned that it is too early to draw firm conclusions from the talks.
The White House described the first day of meetings, which began Friday, as productive. The UAE’s foreign ministry said the talks are part of broader efforts to encourage dialogue and explore political solutions to the conflict.
Moscow Holds Firm on Territorial Demands
Russia has released few details about the discussions, describing them only as a “working group on security issues.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from eastern Donbas remains a key condition for Moscow, adding that other issues are also being discussed.
Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, who has been involved in talks with US officials, said any long-term settlement would require resolving territorial questions. He characterised discussions with the US as frank and constructive. Russian state media reported that proposals on buffer zones and monitoring mechanisms are also on the table.
Who’s at the Table — and What Led Up to It
Russia’s delegation is led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov and includes senior military officials. Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev is expected to meet separately with US representatives to discuss economic matters.
The US delegation includes Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and NATO’s top military commander, US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich. Ukraine is represented by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, armed forces chief Andrii Hnatov and presidential office head Kyrylo Budanov.
The Abu Dhabi meetings follow talks earlier in the week in Moscow, where Witkoff and Kushner met President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin reiterated then that any peace deal would require Ukraine to withdraw from territories Russia claims but does not fully control. Around the same time, Zelenskyy said after meeting US President Donald Trump in Davos that peace proposals are “nearly ready,” though the question of occupied land remains unresolved.
Zelenskyy also said he raised the idea of creating a free trade zone in parts of eastern Ukraine still under Kyiv’s control, calling it a potential boost for Ukrainian businesses and long-term recovery.
