Ukrainian and Russian negotiators began a second round of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi today, aimed at exploring a possible end to four-year conflict. The two-day trilateral meeting brings together Ukrainian, Russian, and US officials in a fresh attempt to halt Europe’s biggest conflict since World War Two, which has killed hundreds of thousands, displaced millions, and devastated much of eastern and southern Ukraine.
The Ukrainian side is led by National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov. The Russian delegation is led by Military Intelligence Chief Igor Kostyukov. The US has sent envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to facilitate the discussions.
The trilateral meeting comes after a recent Russian drone and missile barrage on Ukrainian cities, targeting energy infrastructure and leaving millions without heat and power in freezing winter temperatures. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Russia had exploited a US-backed energy truce last week to stockpile munitions, attacking Ukraine with a record number of ballistic missiles yesterday.
On the other hand, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that Russia’s special military operation will continue until Kyiv meets Moscow’s demands.
The main sticking point remains territory in eastern Ukraine. Moscow demands that Kyiv withdraw troops from parts of the Donbas, including heavily fortified cities and resource-rich areas, and recognise lands seized in the invasion as Russian. Kyiv has refused any unilateral pullback, insisting the front line should remain frozen. Russia currently occupies around 20 percent of Ukraine, while Kyiv still controls parts of Donetsk and other contested regions.
