Peace negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine are set to continue Saturday in Abu Dhabi, bringing together representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. The discussions mark the first extended tripartite meeting in years, with focus on achieving a political solution and stabilizing the contested Donbas region.
Focus on Eastern Donbas
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the talks are centering on the future of eastern Ukraine. “Ukrainian representatives report to me almost every hour — this is important because there have not been such trilateral meetings for a long time,” Zelenskyy said in a video posted on social media. He added that Russia must be willing to end the war it initiated, but cautioned that it is too early to draw conclusions about the outcomes.
The White House described Friday’s discussions as productive, while the UAE’s foreign ministry said the meetings aim “to promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.”
Russia Stresses Territorial Conditions
Moscow provided limited details, calling the sessions a “working group on security issues.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that a withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from eastern Donbas remains a key condition for Russia. Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, described the talks with US representatives as “frank, constructive, and fruitful,” but stressed that any long-term settlement cannot move forward without addressing territorial disputes. The Russian agenda reportedly also included possible buffer zones and mechanisms for controlling conflict areas.
Delegations and Prior Meetings
Russia’s delegation is led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, supported by senior military officials, while Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev held separate discussions on economic matters. The US team includes envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, and NATO’s top military commander, 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 Abu Dhabi talks follow earlier meetings in Moscow, where US envoys met with 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 said he remains open to creating a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control, which he described as potentially beneficial for business in the region.
