The second round of trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States aimed at halting the war in Ukraine concluded in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, according to confirmations from multiple official and media sources. A spokesperson for a Ukrainian negotiator informed journalists that the discussions had formally ended, while Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspilne, citing a source within Kyiv’s delegation, reported that the talks lasted for more than three hours. Russian state news agency RIA stated that Moscow’s delegation, led by Igor Kostyukov, the head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, returned to their hotel following the negotiations, while representatives of the US delegation proceeded directly to the airport. No joint or unilateral official statements were released at the conclusion of the meeting, underscoring the sensitive and ongoing nature of the diplomatic process being hosted in the United Arab Emirates.
Ukraine–Russia Peace Efforts Continue as Delegations Signal Further Engagement
Despite the absence of an official communiqué, indications emerged that diplomatic engagement would continue. Axios correspondent Barak Ravid reported on X that Ukrainian officials characterized the talks as positive and constructive and conveyed that another round of negotiations was scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi next week. Earlier, following the first day of discussions on Friday, Rustem Umerov, who heads Ukraine’s delegation, stated in a Facebook post that the negotiations were centered on defining parameters for ending the war in a manner that would result in a dignified and lasting peace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had also told journalists earlier that day that the status and future of the Donbas region would be a central issue in the trilateral talks.
From the Russian side, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that efforts to resolve the conflict, which is approaching its fourth year, were progressing. He emphasized the significance of implementing what he described as the Anchorage formula, referencing a face-to-face meeting held last August between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Taken together, the statements and movements of the delegations suggest cautious momentum rather than a breakthrough, with Abu Dhabi continuing to serve as a key diplomatic venue for dialogue among Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.