Tripartite negotiations between the US, Ukraine, and Russia are continuing in Abu Dhabi this weekend, aiming to find a path toward ending Russia’s nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the discussions will focus heavily on the future of the eastern Donbas region, a central point of the conflict.
Progress Amid Uncertainty
The talks, which began Friday and will extend into Saturday, were described as productive by the White House. The UAE’s foreign ministry framed the meetings as part of efforts “to promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.”
Zelenskyy noted the significance of these meetings, saying, “Ukrainian representatives report to me almost every hour — this is important because there have not been such trilateral meetings for a long time.” He stressed that Russia must be willing to end the war it initiated but cautioned that it is too early to draw conclusions about concrete outcomes.
Russia Emphasizes Territorial Conditions
Moscow offered limited details, referring to the talks as a “working group on security issues.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Ukraine’s withdrawal from eastern Donbas remains a key condition for Russia, while Putin’s adviser Yuri Ushakov described discussions with US officials as “frank, constructive, and fruitful.”
The agenda reportedly includes potential buffer zones and mechanisms to oversee contested areas, though no final decisions have been made. Ushakov warned that a long-term settlement will not be possible without addressing the territorial disputes first.
Who’s at the Table
Russia’s delegation, led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, consists mainly of military officials, while Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev handles economic discussions with US representatives separately.
The United States is represented by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, and NATO’s top military commander, US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich. Ukraine’s team includes Rustem Umerov, head of the national security and defense council; Andrii Hnatov, chief of the general staff; and Kyrylo Budanov, head of the presidential office.
The talks follow earlier discussions in Moscow, where US envoys met with President Putin. The Kremlin emphasized that any settlement would require Kyiv to withdraw from territories Russia has annexed but does not fully control. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy confirmed that peace proposals are “nearly ready” and expressed willingness to explore a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control, which he said could benefit Ukrainian businesses.
