Zelenskyy Sees Promise in Trilateral Ukraine Peace Talks with U.S., Russia/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the latest round of trilateral peace talks with Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi as “constructive.” The discussions focused on ending the ongoing war and may resume next week. Despite diplomatic progress, Russia launched deadly attacks on Ukraine during the talks.
Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Quick Looks
- Trilateral talks included Ukraine, Russia, and U.S. officials
- Meeting held over two days in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Zelenskyy reported “constructive” progress in the negotiations
- Next meeting could be held as early as next week
- U.S. represented by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner
- Ukraine delegation led by Rustem Umerov and Kyrylo Budanov
- Russia sent army and military intelligence officials
- Ukraine demands U.S. oversight in any peace process
- Russia insists Ukraine must withdraw from occupied territories
- Talks occurred amid deadly Russian drone attacks on Ukraine
Deep Look
Zelenskyy Sees Promise in Trilateral Ukraine Peace Talks with U.S. and Russia
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that recent high-level peace discussions between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States concluded on a productive note, offering hope that a long-awaited resolution to the ongoing war might finally be in sight.
The two-day negotiations, hosted in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, mark a significant diplomatic moment: the first confirmed instance where representatives of the U.S. government, under the Trump administration, sat down directly with officials from both Ukraine and Russia. The goal was to explore a political solution to end Russia’s invasion, which has now entered its fourth year.
Zelenskyy, in a post on Telegram, stated that “all parties agreed to report to their capitals on each aspect of the negotiations and to coordinate further steps with their leaders.” He emphasized that discussions were held in a “constructive atmosphere,” with a shared understanding of the need for continued engagement.
According to the Ukrainian president, military representatives also participated and identified key issues that would be revisited in a potential follow-up session, possibly as soon as next week.
A crucial point raised by Zelenskyy was the need for U.S. involvement in monitoring and controlling any eventual peace process.
“There is an understanding of the need for American oversight to ensure real security and accountability,” he said, underlining Ukraine’s trust in a U.S.-led framework to maintain transparency and enforce any potential agreements.
Representing the United States at the Abu Dhabi summit were Steve Witkoff, a real estate executive turned political envoy, and Jared Kushner, former senior adviser to President Donald Trump. Ukraine’s delegation was headed by Rustem Umerov, the country’s chief negotiator, along with Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency.
On the Russian side, military intelligence and senior army officials were dispatched, signaling Moscow’s intent to take the dialogue seriously, even as tensions remain high on the battlefield.
The talks were facilitated in part by the United Arab Emirates, whose Foreign Ministry confirmed their commitment to promoting “dialogue and identifying political solutions to the crisis.” The UAE has positioned itself as a neutral ground for such sensitive negotiations, having previously hosted diplomatic efforts between conflicting international actors.
Still, not everything has been resolved. Zelenskyy acknowledged in earlier comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos that while a draft peace deal was “nearly ready,” several critical issues remained — most notably disputes over territory seized by Russia since the 2022 invasion.
Hours before the trilateral meeting commenced on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly held extensive overnight talks with U.S. representatives Witkoff and Kushner. According to Kremlin sources, Putin reiterated Moscow’s demand that Ukraine withdraw its forces from regions in eastern Ukraine that Russia claims to have annexed — a move widely condemned internationally as illegal.
As negotiations continued, violence on the ground intensified. In a tragic parallel to the peace process, Russian drone attacks struck several Ukrainian cities over the weekend. One person was killed and four others wounded in Kyiv, according to Tymur Tkachenko of the Kyiv City Military Administration.
In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, drone strikes injured 27 people, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha denounced the timing of the attacks, calling them a cynical attempt to undermine peace efforts.
“Putin ordered a brutal, massive missile strike against Ukraine even as delegations met in Abu Dhabi to advance the U.S.-led peace process,” Sybiha posted on X (formerly Twitter). “His missiles hit not only our people, but also the negotiation table.”
Despite the grim backdrop, Zelenskyy remains hopeful that the diplomatic momentum can be sustained. A follow-up meeting next week could mark a pivotal moment in efforts to halt the bloodshed and stabilize the region, provided that the main parties continue to show willingness to compromise.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.