U.S. Mediators Push for Ukraine Ceasefire in Abu Dhabi Talks

Talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States began Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The two-day session marks the first direct meeting on the conflict since February. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the nearly four-hour initial talks as constructive and substantive. He said the discussions focused on humanitarian issues, including prisoner exchanges and the return of children taken from Ukraine. Security guarantees were also on the agenda.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the session very productive in Paris. However, he noted that a lot of work remains to be done. Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and a key U.S. envoy, said the team aims to create a new framework for peace. He stated the goal is to identify past failures and build a structure that lasts for decades or centuries.

The delegations remain far apart on core demands. Russian President Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw troops from four regions Moscow annexed in 2022. He also seeks for Ukraine to drop its bid to join NATO and limit its military size. Zelenskyy rejects voluntary cessions of territory. Kyiv argues an immediate ceasefire is the first step toward a wider settlement. A direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy is Ukraine’s proposed method for settling territorial issues.

The talks occur while fighting continues on the front lines. Russian forces launched 162 drones and a ballistic missile at Ukraine overnight, according to the Ukrainian air force. The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces downed 155 Ukrainian drones in eight regions and over Crimea. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomed the U.S. proposal to include broader European security on the agenda. Some European Union members view the U.S. approach as too accommodating to Moscow.

U.S. President Donald Trump must address the shifting political landscape in Washington. Democrats took control of the U.S. Congress following the midterm elections. They are expected to demand increased support for Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told ZDF television that he does not have overly high expectations for the outcome of the meeting. A second round of talks is scheduled for Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.

The Russian delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, a Putin aide who has negotiated since 2022. The Ukrainian team is headed by Rustem Umerov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. Umerov thanked the U.S. for its efforts, stating that Ukrainians are waiting to end the war. NATO commander U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich was present at the session. He pointed to progress in military-to-military dialogue as a foundation for lasting peace.