Ukraine and Russia End Second Day of US-Led Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi
Peace discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia commenced in Abu Dhabi. These US-led talks saw participation from senior military and intelligence officials representing Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.
Participants in the Peace Talks
- Ukraine: Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov.
- Russia: Delegates from the armed forces and military intelligence.
- United States: Steve Witkoff, envoy for President Trump, Jared Kushner, and senior White House advisers.
Key Outcomes of the Talks
During the discussions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of potential formats for formalizing a future settlement. He stated that American monitoring and oversight would be crucial components of any ceasefire or peace process.
After the meetings, it was agreed that all sides would report their findings back to their capitals. Coordinating further steps with their national leaders was likewise considered essential.
Future Meetings and Challenges
Military representatives have pinpointed specific issues that may warrant a follow-up meeting. Reports from Russia’s TASS news agency suggested that the talks yielded productive outcomes with the prospect of continued discussions in the coming days.
Context of the Negotiations
The diplomatic efforts took place amid escalating hostilities, marked by Russia’s largest aerial attack on Ukraine this year. Ukrainian officials reported a significant strike involving hundreds of drones and missiles in major cities, including Kyiv and Kharkiv. This wave of attacks resulted in at least one casualty and plunged millions into darkness and cold during subzero temperatures.
Zelenskyy remarked that it was “too early” to draw concrete conclusions from the ongoing discussions. He reaffirmed Ukraine’s stance against any territorial concessions demanded by Moscow.
