US, Ukraine and Russia Open Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi With Expectations of Breakthrough Low

The United States, Ukraine, and Russia opened trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the first such three-way diplomatic engagement since February, when negotiations were suspended following the outbreak of the war with Iran. The two-day session, brokered by the Trump administration and led on the American side by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is focused on security guarantees for Ukraine, a long-standing demand from Kyiv. Russia's delegation departed for Abu Dhabi and Putin aide Vladimir Medinsky is serving as Moscow's chief negotiator.

Before sitting down with the Russian side, the United States, Ukraine, and European partners, including NATO, the EU, the U.K., France, Germany, and Italy, held a preliminary coordination meeting. A joint statement from that group stressed that any settlement must respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and include credible, robust security guarantees. Kushner separately called for a new security framework for Ukraine, Russia, and Europe.

Expectations of a breakthrough are low. Putin has shown no sign of willingness to halt Russia's invasion, and the parties remain far apart on fundamental issues. The White House had hoped Trump's earlier concessions, including lifting sanctions on Russian diesel sales, would prompt Russian flexibility, but so far Moscow's only apparent concession has been agreeing to resume talks. The joint statement from Western partners reaffirmed that a strong NATO will remain central to any post-war European security architecture.