A Path to Peace? Trilateral Talks Amid Ukraine Conflict in Abu Dhabi

Tue Feb 03 2026 00:07:48 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Russian, Ukrainian, and US officials prepare for historic negotiations in UAE, aiming to address ongoing territorial disputes and seek a resolution to the four-year war.

In a significant diplomatic effort, negotiators from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are set to hold talks in Abu Dhabi, marking their first joint meeting since the onset of the conflict nearly four years ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that these discussions could pave the way towards peace, although territorial issues remain a major obstacle. Russian aides indicated a need for concrete solutions before any long-term agreements can be reached. The outcome of these discussions could potentially impact the future of Ukraine and its territorial integrity.

Russian, Ukrainian and US negotiators will hold talks in the United Arab Emirates later, in what officials say will be the first meeting attended by all three countries since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion nearly four years ago.

The Kremlin confirmed Russian officials would attend the talks following a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and US envoys in Moscow.

Russia described those talks as useful in every respect, but said a long-term peace deal could not be reached until territorial issues had been resolved.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he regarded the Abu Dhabi talks as a step - hopefully towards ending the war.

Present at the Thursday night meeting with Putin and two other Russian aides were three US representatives, including Steve Witkoff, and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the talks were substantive, constructive and very frank, but reiterated that any agreement for durable peace would not be possible without resolving territorial issues.

Until this is achieved, Russia will continue to consistently pursue the objectives of the special military operation, he said.

Ushakov added that Putin emphasised Russia was sincerely interested in a diplomatic solution.

Without resolving the territorial issue according to the formula agreed upon in Anchorage, there is no hope of achieving a long-term settlement, he said, a reference to the summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska last year.

Witkoff last year said that Russia had agreed to allow the US and Europe to give Ukraine robust security guarantees as part of a potential peace deal.

After meeting with Trump in Davos, Zelensky also made clear that the future status of territory in eastern Ukraine remained an unsolved issue ahead of talks in Abu Dhabi.

It's all about the land. This is the issue which is not solved yet, Zelensky told reporters in Davos, adding that the Russians have to be ready for compromises, not only Ukraine.

On Friday, he told journalists: The Donbas issue is key. It will be discussed as will be the modality of how the three sides see it.

Zelensky also emphasized that the situation in the Donbas region would significantly influence the peace discussions, stating that the demands related to this territory remain unresolved.

Moreover, the head of Ukraine's national security and defense council, Rustem Umerov, will be present at the negotiations along with key aides from Zelensky's office.

The Russian delegation will be led by General Igor Kostyukov, while discussions will also focus on possible economic collaborations to support broader negotiations.

The outcomes of these groundbreaking talks could either herald a new chapter in resolving the Ukraine conflict or signify ongoing tensions as both sides remain firm on their territorial demands.