Conversations between Ukraine, Russia, and the US will continue next week in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi. — The trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States to try to end the war will continue next week in Abu Dhabi, a source with direct knowledge of the process informed the AFP agency this Saturday, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the negotiations.

The confirmation comes after a spokesperson for the United Arab Emirates government indicated that the second round of dialogues took place in a “constructive and positive environment”. The talks were held behind closed doors and lasted for almost three hours, focusing on the control of Donbas and on post-conflict security measures, according to the Russian agencies TASS and RIA Novosti.

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The spokesperson for Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's chief negotiator, Diana Davitian, confirmed that the meeting concluded after several hours of exchange, in a process marked by territorial tension in the east of Ukraine. The Kremlin reiterated its demand that Kyiv withdraw its forces from Donbas, a condition that Moscow considers essential for a lasting agreement, anticipating complex negotiations in the next round. Umerov explained that the dialogues initiated on Friday focused on “the parameters for ending Russia's war and the logical continuation of the negotiation process aimed at advancing towards a dignified and lasting peace”. These are the first known direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv regarding the plan promoted by the United States to resolve the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II, which has left tens of thousands dead since 2022. The Russian delegation is headed by General Igor Kostyukov, head of military intelligence (GRU). The United States participates through Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump. The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that “it is still too early to draw conclusions” and stressed that peace will only be possible if there is a real will on the Russian side as well. The conversations are taking place at a critical moment for Ukraine, whose energy infrastructure has been severely damaged by Russian attacks, causing blackouts and heating cuts amid extreme winter temperatures. In the last few hours, bombings in Kyiv left at least one dead and four injured, while in Kharkiv a drone attack caused 11 injuries, according to local authorities. The process is carried out outside of Europe and without the participation of European Union countries, who fear that Washington will pressure Kyiv to accept an agreement perceived as favorable to Moscow. Russia has repeatedly criticized the European intervention. On the military front, Ukraine faces sustained setbacks against a better-armed adversary, in a context of high dependence on Western support. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov reiterated that the Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas is a key condition for any long-term agreement. From Washington, President Trump has intensified the pressure to reach a deal, recently stating that Putin and Zelensky are close to an agreement, while Moscow claims to be interested in a diplomatic solution, although it warns that it will continue to advance on the battlefield until it achieves its objectives.