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Trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the United States concluded in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, with an American official describing the discussions as "productive" and announcing plans to reconvene as early as next week.
The official, speaking to Axios, echoed statements from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who characterized the two-day talks as "constructive" and said further meetings could take place soon. According to the US official, both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin view the trilateral format as a sign of progress.
The negotiations marked the first such trilateral meetings in considerable time, focusing primarily on potential parameters for ending the war that began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Writing on the social media platform X after the talks concluded, Zelenskyy said delegates discussed numerous issues during the intensive meetings. He stressed the importance of American monitoring and oversight in any process to end the conflict and establish genuine security.
The Ukrainian president said the US delegation raised potential formats for formalizing settlement parameters and outlined security conditions necessary to achieve any agreement. Military representatives from all sides identified specific issues for discussion at potential future meetings.
"As a result of the meetings held over these days, all sides agreed to report back in their capitals on each aspect of the negotiations and to coordinate further steps with their leaders," Zelenskyy said.
The US team featured envoys Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Josh Gruenbaum, alongside Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of US European Command. Ukraine sent Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov, national security adviser Rustem Umerov, and military Chief of Staff General Andrii Hnatov, accompanied by advisers Sergiy Kyslytsya and Davyd Arakhamia. Russia's contingent was led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of Russian military intelligence.
The second day of talks lasted more than three hours. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said efforts to resolve the conflict are progressing and highlighted what he termed the "Anchorage formula," referencing a previous meeting between US President Donald Trump and Putin.
Zelenskyy thanked the United Arab Emirates and its president for their mediation efforts and willingness to host additional meetings. He emphasized that Ukraine remains committed to achieving peace and security, adding that he expects a personal briefing from his delegation upon its return.
The Ukrainian president stated his country's readiness to move forward, contingent on similar willingness from other parties.
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