Russia, Ukraine resume peace talks in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI (AFP) — Negotiators from Russia, Ukraine and the United States are set to meet in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for their first direct talks in more than nine months, as Washington renews efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
The US-mediated negotiations come amid concerns in Kyiv and European capitals that President Donald Trump could push for a settlement favoring Moscow, including territorial concessions by Ukraine.
Trump suggested ahead of the talks that Ukraine might have to surrender territory as part of a peace agreement.
“They’re going to end up with a little bit different shape, Ukraine,” he said.
Russia continues to occupy large parts of Ukraine and has demanded that Kyiv withdraw from the remaining areas of the Donetsk region under Ukrainian control.
Ukraine has rejected the demand, while Moscow has threatened to continue its offensive unless Kyiv complies.
The negotiations will be led on the US side by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Russia’s delegation will be headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and will include Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Russian state news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti reported that the talks would begin at 11:50 a.m. local time (0750 GMT).
The meeting marks the first such negotiations since talks in Geneva in February failed to produce a breakthrough.
“We don’t have any particular expectations,” a senior Ukrainian official told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Russian strikes intensify
The diplomatic push comes as Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine.
Kyiv said 55 people were killed in a strike on a frontline village while waiting for humanitarian assistance, making it one of the deadliest attacks of the conflict.
Ukraine’s military also reported that Russia launched 162 drones and one ballistic missile overnight.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of intensifying attacks to strengthen its negotiating position.
He described the strikes as part of Russia’s strategy of “putting pressure on Ukraine’s position” during the talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly rejected broader ceasefire proposals and direct negotiations with Zelensky.
The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions.
Europe fears unfavorable deal
European governments are also sending representatives to Abu Dhabi amid concerns over Washington’s approach to negotiations with Moscow.
Trump recently floated a “very big agreement” involving European security, raising fears that the United States could negotiate a broader arrangement with Russia without sufficient European participation.
US envoy Kushner said Monday that a settlement would require direct Russia-Europe discussions “on the broader security arrangements that affect them.”
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul rejected the idea of establishing a new European security framework.
“For Europe, it is clear: we do not need to establish a new security architecture for Europe,” Wadephul said.
He also urged Moscow to “give up maximalist demands” and warned against a “negotiation show” in Abu Dhabi.
Zelensky has warned against a “Yalta 2.0,” referring to the 1945 conference where Allied leaders discussed Europe’s postwar order.
Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said representatives from Britain, France, Germany and Italy, along with NATO and European Union officials, would hold separate discussions with Ukrainian delegates.
The Kremlin, however, maintained that the main negotiations would remain “trilateral.”
Despite limited expectations for a comprehensive agreement, Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said Kyiv could pursue localized ceasefires as a step toward reducing hostilities.
He cited a recent ceasefire in the Kherson region as “a very positive precedent.”