U.S., Russia and Ukraine to Hold Trilateral Talks in Abu Dhabi
The United States, Russia and Ukraine will meet in Abu Dhabi for a second round of trilateral negotiations, focusing on security, de-escalation and humanitarian issues, with European officials expected to observe.
A new round of trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States is set for Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, following earlier U.S.-mediated meetings that ended without an agreement. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said the agenda will cover post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts and next steps toward peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has outlined his priorities as security guarantees, an energy ceasefire, reopening the Black Sea, expanded prisoner exchanges and preparations for a summit of the three leaders.
"I don't think there will be a breakthrough, after there was such a long break in the negotiation process," Ukraine delegate Davyd Arakhamia told DW. "Simply the fact that trilateral talks are being resumed can be counted as a success."
Witkoff will be accompanied by Jared Kushner, who serves as a special envoy. Russia will be represented by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to President Vladimir Putin, together with senior military and intelligence officials. Ukraine's delegation will be led by Rustem Umerov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, alongside Arakhamia and other diplomatic and military figures.
European officials, including advisers to Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and the European Commission, are slated to attend separate sessions, though analysts said they are likely to play only an observing role. Hanna Shelest of Ukrainian Prism noted that Russia has historically preferred talks to remain between the two superpowers, Russia and the United States, and expressed doubt that European participants will influence the negotiations.
Shelest described Medinsky's presence as a "fairly positive aspect" but warned that past negotiations have often resulted in lengthy rhetoric rather than concrete agreements. She also cautioned that Russia might use the talks to delay further action.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently referred to a potential "big beautiful agreement" after discussions with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Kushner later outlined a proposed security architecture that includes permanent consultations, crisis communications, military transparency and measures to reduce escalation risks, noting that the concepts have been part of Russian proposals since 2009.
Experts such as Ivan Us of Ukraine's National Institute for Strategic Studies said negotiations with non-decision-makers could be largely symbolic, but acknowledged that the temporary humanitarian pause arranged for the town of Oleshky might serve as a model for limited ceasefires elsewhere, despite concerns that Russia used the pause to reinforce its positions.