Three-way talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States have begun in Abu Dhabi for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, the Kremlin's continued insistence on maximalist territorial demands casts doubt on whether US President Donald Trump can broker a ceasefire, even with heavy pressure on Kyiv.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed the talks were taking place at the 'negotiator level' and described the format as 'happening for the first time in a long time'. Russia's delegation is led by GRU military intelligence chief Admiral Igor Kostyukov, indicating a focus on military rather than political negotiations.
As discussions began, the Kremlin repeated its demand that Kyiv withdraw its forces from the eastern Donbas region for the war to end. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has also suggested plans for regime change in Ukraine, stating that any settlement preserving the 'current Nazi regime' is unacceptable.
The talks follow a seventh meeting between Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where territorial demands and security guarantees were discussed. A German government spokesperson questioned whether Russia would be willing to move away from its maximalist demands, warning that a peace agreement must not simply give Russia breathing space for future attacks.
Zelenskyy said the future status of land occupied by Russia in eastern Ukraine remains unresolved, but that peace proposals are 'nearly ready'. The full details of the UAE talks have not been released, and it is unclear whether Russian and Ukrainian officials will meet face-to-face.
