The first three-way peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US have ended in Abu Dhabi with no apparent breakthrough, as fighting rages. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky raised the possibility of a second meeting as early as next week, while an American official said a new round would begin on 1 February.
The two-day talks ended after waves of Russian air strikes targeted Ukraine's badly damaged energy infrastructure, killing one person and injuring 35 others, Ukrainian officials said. Russia accused Ukraine of attacking an ambulance in Ukrainian territory under its control, killing three medics. Later, it reported a Ukrainian missile attack on energy infrastructure in Belgorod.
The BBC could not independently verify the reports. The talks in Abu Dhabi were the first trilateral meeting since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbour in 2022.
'The central focus of the discussions was the possible parameters for ending the war,' Zelensky posted on X. 'I highly value the understanding of the need for American monitoring and oversight of the process of ending the war and ensuring genuine security.'
All sides had agreed to 'report back to their capitals' and coordinate further steps with their leaders, he added. 'We've agreed that the next round begins next Sunday in Abu Dhabi again,' an unnamed US official told reporters.
The decision to hold further talks was a 'good sign,' and 'a lot of work' had been done over the two days of negotiations, the official added. The Russian state news agency Ria-Novosti reported that Moscow remained open to a continuation of dialogue with Ukraine and the US.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that the 'brutal' Russian attack - 'cynically' ordered by President Vladimir Putin - had 'hit not only our people, but also the negotiation table.'
He further emphasized that the 'barbaric' assault proved 'that Putin's place is not at the board of peace, but at the dock of the special tribunal.'
As hostilities continue to escalate and winter conditions worsen, the focus remains on achieving a lasting peace amidst ongoing territorial disputes.
The two-day talks ended after waves of Russian air strikes targeted Ukraine's badly damaged energy infrastructure, killing one person and injuring 35 others, Ukrainian officials said. Russia accused Ukraine of attacking an ambulance in Ukrainian territory under its control, killing three medics. Later, it reported a Ukrainian missile attack on energy infrastructure in Belgorod.
The BBC could not independently verify the reports. The talks in Abu Dhabi were the first trilateral meeting since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbour in 2022.
'The central focus of the discussions was the possible parameters for ending the war,' Zelensky posted on X. 'I highly value the understanding of the need for American monitoring and oversight of the process of ending the war and ensuring genuine security.'
All sides had agreed to 'report back to their capitals' and coordinate further steps with their leaders, he added. 'We've agreed that the next round begins next Sunday in Abu Dhabi again,' an unnamed US official told reporters.
The decision to hold further talks was a 'good sign,' and 'a lot of work' had been done over the two days of negotiations, the official added. The Russian state news agency Ria-Novosti reported that Moscow remained open to a continuation of dialogue with Ukraine and the US.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that the 'brutal' Russian attack - 'cynically' ordered by President Vladimir Putin - had 'hit not only our people, but also the negotiation table.'
He further emphasized that the 'barbaric' assault proved 'that Putin's place is not at the board of peace, but at the dock of the special tribunal.'
As hostilities continue to escalate and winter conditions worsen, the focus remains on achieving a lasting peace amidst ongoing territorial disputes.
