US, Russia Hold Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi as Missiles Pound Kyiv/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. and Russian officials held new peace talks in Abu Dhabi while Kyiv suffered deadly Russian strikes. The Trump administration’s proposal includes controversial terms that Ukraine may reject. France and other European nations urge caution, warning against a peace that favors Moscow.
Ukraine Peace Talks and Missile Strikes Quick Looks
- US Army Secretary meets Russian officials in Abu Dhabi
- Trump administration proposes 28-point peace plan for Ukraine
- Kyiv hit by massive Russian drone and missile barrage
- Zelenskiy to discuss sensitive issues directly with Trump
- Peace deal includes territorial concessions, NATO exclusion for Ukraine
- France warns against any peace resembling Ukrainian capitulation
- Romania scrambles jets after drone crosses into NATO airspace
- Tensions escalate as battlefield conditions worsen for Ukraine
US, Russia Hold Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi as Missiles Pound Kyiv
Deep Look
As Kyiv endured a brutal overnight assault by Russian missiles and drones, U.S. and Russian officials engaged in renewed peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi. The talks, led by U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, represent the Trump administration’s most aggressive diplomatic effort yet to broker an end to the war in Ukraine—though under terms that many allies fear may disproportionately favor the Kremlin.
Driscoll’s spokesperson, Lt. Col. Jeff Tolbert, confirmed the meetings took place late Monday and throughout Tuesday.
“The talks are going well, and we remain optimistic,” Tolbert said. While the details of the discussions remain unclear, Driscoll is reportedly aligned with the White House and is expected to engage Ukrainian officials as part of the broader negotiation effort.
The timing of the talks could not be more critical. Kyiv was rocked by a barrage of Russian air attacks overnight, leaving at least six people dead and infrastructure severely damaged. Residents, some in tents and winter coats, sheltered underground as explosions echoed across the city. Heating and power systems were disrupted, signaling a deepening humanitarian crisis.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed the escalating situation, stating that Ukraine will not be pressured into a deal that compromises its sovereignty. However, he acknowledged that the peace proposal includes “correct” elements, adding that the most sensitive issues would be discussed directly with President Trump. A visit to the U.S. by Zelenskiy is expected in the coming days.
The centerpiece of the Trump administration’s push is a 28-point peace plan that has stirred deep concern in both Kyiv and across Europe. Leaked details suggest it would require Ukraine to surrender more territory, restrict its military capabilities, and renounce its NATO aspirations—conditions that Kyiv has long refused to accept.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron reacted with caution, saying on RTL radio, “We want peace, but we don’t want a peace that would be a capitulation.” Macron emphasized that only Ukraine can decide what, if any, territorial concessions it will accept, warning that European and Ukrainian interests must not be subordinated to Russian preferences.
The current diplomatic initiative follows a controversial summit in Alaska earlier this year between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. That meeting alarmed European capitals and Ukraine, as some feared it signaled a shift in U.S. policy toward accommodating Moscow’s demands. While no formal agreement came from the summit, the latest peace efforts are widely seen as stemming from it.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that any updated peace proposal must reflect the “spirit and letter” of what was discussed between Trump and Putin in Alaska.
Meanwhile, battlefield dynamics are shifting. Russia has made modest gains, and Ukraine’s leadership is under pressure following corruption scandals and dismissals within Zelenskiy’s cabinet. With morale fragile and winter looming, Kyiv is in a vulnerable negotiating position.
Compounding the tension, Romania— a NATO member—scrambled fighter jets Tuesday to intercept drones that breached its airspace near the Ukrainian border. One drone reportedly continued advancing deeper into Romanian territory, highlighting the growing risk of conflict spilling beyond Ukraine’s borders.
The coalition of Ukraine-supporting nations, including France and the United Kingdom, held a virtual meeting to discuss the U.S. peace proposal. While the goal of peace is shared, there is broad agreement among allies that any deal must avoid undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
Despite intense diplomatic efforts, skepticism remains high. Many question how any peace deal can hold as long as Russian missile attacks continue. In Kyiv, residents like 39-year-old accountant Nadiia Horodko described terrifying scenes.
“There was a very loud explosion, our windows were falling apart, we got dressed and ran out,” she said. “There was horror. A woman was screaming, ‘Save the child, the child is on fire!’”
The next phase of negotiations—and Zelenskiy’s anticipated U.S. visit—could prove pivotal. As both military and political pressures intensify, Ukraine’s future may hang on how much it is asked to sacrifice for peace—and whether its allies will stand firm or shift their positions.
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