These talks in Abu Dhabi marked the first time all three sides met since the conflict began nearly four years ago. US officials termed the opening round “productive” and said discussions were expected to continue through Saturday
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (centre) addresses the heads of the US, Russian, and Ukrainian delegations in Abu Dhabi. PIC/AFP
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday reiterated that Moscow bears the responsibility to end the ongoing war in Europe, as Ukraine, Russia, and the United States (US) convened trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates—an initial step in diplomatic engagement, news agency ANI reported.
These talks in Abu Dhabi marked the first time all three sides met since the conflict began nearly four years ago.
Reacting to the discussions, Zelenskyy underscored Kyiv’s long-standing position, stating, “Russia must end the war it started; our position is clear.”
While describing the talks as an initial step, he urged caution in drawing early conclusions, ANI reported.
The negotiations come amid continued hostilities. Ukrainian authorities reported that Kyiv faced a large-scale Russian drone and ballistic missile attack early Saturday, prompting the activation of air defence systems across the capital.
US officials termed the opening round “productive” and said discussions were expected to continue through Saturday, ANI reported. Zelenskyy, however, said it was too early to judge the outcome.
Zelenskyy cautious as talks begin, flags deep differences with Moscow
In a post on X late Friday, he noted that Ukraine’s delegation was briefing him hourly but emphasised that it was “too early to assess the substance” of the talks.
Reiterating his stance, Zelenskyy said, “The main thing is that Russia must be ready to end this war, which it itself started,” adding that clear instructions had been issued to Ukraine’s negotiating team. “We will see how the conversation develops and what results it produces.”
The Abu Dhabi talks follow a meeting earlier this week in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoys, described by the Kremlin as “useful.”
Despite renewed diplomatic engagement, major disagreements remain, particularly over territorial issues. Russia has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from areas it still controls in Donetsk, a condition Kyiv has consistently rejected.
Zelenskyy has said that a US-backed, 20-point peace framework is nearing finalisation, though the future status of the Donbas region remains unresolved. He has also proposed a reciprocal troop withdrawal of up to 40 kilometres to establish a demilitarised free economic zone, contingent on similar steps by Russia and linked to long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.
Ukraine’s delegation in Abu Dhabi is led by National Security and Defence Council chief Rustem Umerov, with senior officials including Kyrylo Budanov and negotiator David Arakhamia. Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov is also part of the team.
Russia’s delegation is headed by GRU director Igor Kostyukov, while investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev is holding separate economic discussions with US envoy Steve Witkoff. The US delegation also includes President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the talks with US officials as “substantive and frank,” while asserting that a lasting peace would require resolution of territorial disputes. Until then, he said, Russia would continue what it calls its “special military operation.”
Meanwhile, fighting continues on the ground, with both sides reporting drone attacks in recent days. These include strikes on a Russian oil depot in the Penza region and multiple locations within Ukraine. Russian attacks on energy infrastructure have left parts of Ukraine facing harsh winter conditions without reliable heating or electricity.
Zelenskyy has also remained engaged with Western allies. Speaking about his meeting with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, he described the interaction as “very positive” and said both sides reached an understanding on prospective US security guarantees for Ukraine, subject to approval by the US Congress and Ukraine’s parliament.
(With ANI inputs)
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