Russia–Ukraine–US peace talks end in Abu Dhabi amid fresh strikes in Kyiv
The first trilateral peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States ended in Abu Dhabi without a clear breakthrough, even as Moscow launched fresh airstrikes on Kyiv and insisted on its long-standing demand for Donbas. With further negotiations expected next week, key issues, including territorial control and security guarantees, remain unresolved.
New Delhi: The two-day trilateral peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States concluded in Abu Dhabi on Saturday without any clear indication of a breakthrough, as uncertainty continued over the outcome of the negotiations and the future course of the peace process.
According to news agency AFP, citing a source familiar with the discussions, additional rounds of talks aimed at ending the prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine are expected to continue in Abu Dhabi next week. The discussions marked the first formal trilateral engagement among the three countries since the war erupted.
The diplomatic effort came at a tense moment, with developments on the ground underscoring the fragility of the process.
Fresh strikes hit Kyiv amid talks
Just hours before the negotiations wrapped up, Russia launched overnight airstrikes on Kyiv, killing at least one person and injuring four others, Reuters reported. The attacks also targeted parts of the city’s power infrastructure, leaving nearly 1.2 million properties without electricity.
Ukrainian authorities said around 6,000 buildings in the capital were left without heating on Saturday morning as temperatures hovered around minus 10 degrees Celsius, raising concerns over civilian safety amid harsh winter conditions.
High-level contacts and US mediation
The trilateral talks formally began on Friday under UAE mediation. Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin held marathon overnight discussions on a possible Ukraine settlement with envoys of US President Donald Trump — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — according to the Associated Press.
During these discussions, Russia reportedly maintained its long-standing position that any peace agreement would require Kyiv to withdraw its troops from eastern territories that Moscow claims to have annexed but does not fully control. Ukraine has consistently rejected these demands.
Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that a potential peace deal was "nearly ready,” while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Commenting on the Abu Dhabi talks, a spokesperson for the UAE government said the discussions focused on the "outstanding elements” of a US-proposed negotiation framework, Reuters reported. The spokesperson added that the talks were held in a constructive and positive atmosphere and included direct engagement between officials from both Russia and Ukraine.
Donbas remains key sticking point
As the talks concluded, Russia’s long-standing demand for Donbas remained unresolved. Although the eastern Ukrainian region was widely expected to emerge as a major sticking point, there was no official clarification on whether the issue was substantively addressed.
Donbas, which includes the coal-rich regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, is strategically important due to its mineral resources, steel manufacturing base and access to the Sea of Azov through river networks.
Zelensky has repeatedly rejected any proposal involving territorial concessions. Speaking at Davos, he made Ukraine’s position clear: "It’s all about the eastern part of our country, it’s all about the land,” he was quoted as saying by CNN.