Abu Dhabi Trilateral Talks Show Constructive Momentum but No Breakthrough on Donbas
Updated (9 articles)
First Three‑Way Session Since 2022 Inaugurates Diplomatic Track Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States met in Abu Dhabi on Jan 23‑26, marking the inaugural trilateral format since the invasion began [4][7][8]. The Ukrainian team was led by Rustem Umerov and included Chief of General Staff Andrii Hnatov, while Russia sent Admiral Igor Kostyukov and the U.S. delegation featured special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner [7][8]. The UAE hosted the talks, emphasizing a “useful” but conditional dialogue pending resolution of territorial disputes [8].
Both Sides Call Sessions Constructive Yet Incomplete President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the meetings as constructive but noted that key political issues remain unresolved, especially the status of occupied territories [1][2][5]. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed this view, saying contacts were positive but no major agreement emerged [1]. U.S. envoy Witkoff called the talks “very constructive” and announced a follow‑up round scheduled for Feb 1 [2][3].
U.S. Security Guarantees Document Declared Ready Zelenskyy announced that a bilateral security‑guarantees paper with the United States is 100 % complete and awaits a signing date, followed by ratification in both the U.S. Congress and Ukraine’s parliament [3][5]. The document is intended to provide a post‑war security umbrella, linking Ukraine’s EU accession goal to broader guarantees [3]. Trump’s team is coordinating the signing logistics, though no date has been set [5].
Territorial Issue, Especially Donbas, Remains Core Obstacle Russia insists Ukraine withdraw from the Donbas region, referencing the “Anchorage formula” from the 2022 Putin‑Trump summit, while Kyiv demands full territorial integrity [1][2][6][8]. The Kremlin warned that any durable peace depends on resolving this issue, and Russian officials emphasized that Moscow will continue its battlefield objectives until a settlement is reached [6][7]. Both sides agree the Donbas question accounts for roughly the last 10 % of the negotiations [4][8].
Intense Fighting Continues Parallel to Diplomacy During the talks Russia launched its largest overnight drone and air strike, killing a civilian in Kyiv, injuring four, and cutting heat to nearly 6,000 apartments [2][5]. Ukraine responded by hitting Russian targets, including a Krasnodar oil refinery, while both sides reported downing dozens of drones [1][2]. The ongoing hostilities underscore the urgency of a ceasefire component in any prospective agreement [3].
Sources (9 articles)
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[1]
AP: Kremlin Reports Constructive Progress in Abu Dhabi Peace Talks Amid Ongoing Conflict: Highlights constructive yet non‑breakthrough talks, U.S. security‑guarantees readiness, and intense drone warfare, emphasizing the territorial stalemate .
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[2]
CNN: Ukraine‑Russia‑US Trilateral Talks Advance Amid Ongoing Fighting: Reports first trilateral meeting, Zelensky’s constructive view, 100 % ready security guarantees, and a massive Russian air attack coinciding with talks .
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[3]
AP: U.S. Security Guarantees for Ukraine Declared Ready, Zelenskyy Says: Focuses on the completed security‑guarantees document, Ukraine’s EU‑membership push, and the scheduled Feb 1 follow‑up .
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[4]
BBC: Ukraine‑Russia‑US Trilateral Talks in Abu Dhabi: Limited Progress Amid High Stakes: Describes inaugural talks, Trump’s pressure, Donbas deadlock, and Kyiv’s demand for U.S. guarantees .
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[5]
Newsweek: Zelensky says it's too early to judge Abu Dhabi trilateral talks: Emphasizes early‑stage assessment, finalized security guarantees awaiting Trump’s sign‑off, and energy‑crisis impacts .
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[6]
AP: Kremlin says territorial issue key obstacle to Ukraine peace as Abu Dhabi talks proceed: Stresses Donbas focus, Putin’s discussion with Trump envoys, and a near‑ready peace proposal .
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[7]
CNN: US, Ukraine and Russia hold first trilateral talks on security issues in Abu Dhabi: Details delegation leadership, Russia’s territorial warning, and a simultaneous Baltic bomber patrol .
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[8]
BBC: Russia, Ukraine and US to hold trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi: Notes usefulness of talks, Kremlin’s conditional stance, and the Anchorage formula demand .
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[9]
BBC: Zelensky says trilateral talks with US and Russia set for UAE after Davos meeting: Highlights Zelensky’s post‑Davos push, U.S. plan linking Donbas zone to security guarantees, and Peskov’s cautious optimism .
Timeline
2014 – Russia annexes Crimea, a move that later becomes a core reference point in peace negotiations and underpins Moscow’s demand that any settlement address territories seized after the 2014 annexation[7].
Feb 2022 – Russia launches a full‑scale invasion of Ukraine, initiating a war that lasts nearly four years and prompts the first three‑way talks between Kyiv, Moscow and Washington only in 2026[7].
Early Jan 2026 (Davos Forum) – President Volodymyr Zelensky meets former President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, praises the discussion as “really positive,” secures a verbal U.S. security‑guarantee pledge, and floats a free‑trade‑zone idea for the Donbas region[3][9].
Jan 22, 2026 – Zelensky announces that trilateral negotiations will be held in the United Arab Emirates, stresses that the Donbas status is the “major unresolved issue,” and says Russia must be ready to compromise while Kyiv prepares a 20‑point U.S. plan and a security‑guarantees package[3][3].
Jan 23, 2026 – The United Arab Emirates hosts the first Ukraine‑Russia‑U.S. security talks; delegations are led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov (Russia), Rustem Umerov (Ukraine) and Steve Witkoff (U.S.), and Putin meets Witkoff and Jared Kushner for more than three hours before the trilateral session begins[5][5].
Jan 23, 2026 – Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov calls the talks “useful, substantive and very frank” but reiterates that any durable peace hinges on resolving the territorial question, especially the Donbas demand for Ukrainian withdrawal[2][9].
Jan 23, 2026 – President Donald Trump publicly urges both sides to reach a peace deal, calling it “stupid” not to, and dispatches envoys for intensive shuttle diplomacy ahead of the Abu Dhabi meetings[1].
Jan 23, 2026 – In his daily address, Zelensky says it is too early to judge the talks, confirms that Ukraine’s security‑guarantees document is finalized and awaiting a signing date coordinated with Trump, and notes EU delivery of 447 emergency generators to offset power outages caused by Russian strikes[6][6].
Jan 25, 2026 – Zelensky declares the U.S. security‑guarantees text “100 % ready,” links Ukraine’s EU accession goal by 2027 to the guarantees, and announces that delegations will reconvene on Feb 1, 2026 in Abu Dhabi for the next round of talks[8][8].
Jan 26, 2026 – The first joint trilateral session takes place on Friday‑Saturday in Abu Dhabi; Zelensky posts that “a lot was discussed” about parameters for ending the war, while Witkoff describes the meeting as “very constructive” and schedules the follow‑up round for Feb 1[4][4].
Jan 26, 2026 – Russia carries out its largest overnight air attack on Kyiv during the talks, killing a civilian and cutting heat to ~6,000 apartments; Ukraine retaliates with strikes on Russian targets, including a Krasnodar oil refinery[4].
Jan 26, 2026 – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the Abu Dhabi talks are constructive but produce no breakthrough, notes President Trump’s deadline and sanction threats, and highlights German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul’s warning that Moscow’s “stubborn insistence on the decisive territorial issue” could stall negotiations[7][7].
Future (Feb 1, 2026) – Delegations are set to resume trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi, aiming to flesh out the security‑guarantees document, the revised 20‑point plan, and a possible ceasefire, while still confronting the “Anchorage formula” and Donbas territorial demands[4][8].
External resources (3 links)
- https://www.facebook.com/zelenskyy.official/posts/pfbid0FriaxEahcM5N1PgCiYZz7NPMi1ep8sjsWkszi5ss5eetja5m4D77jkJjaoNDBNp9l?rdid=lelntBdiHFC6EtBB# (cited 1 times)
- https://x.com/SEPeaceMissions/status/2015152029622997116 (cited 1 times)
- https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2015062372386250962 (cited 1 times)