Russia and Ukraine Hold New Round of U.S.-Mediated Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi

Detailed summary

Russian and Ukrainian delegates gathered in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for a new round of U.S.-mediated peace talks, though expectations for a breakthrough remain low as Russia appears…

Russian and Ukrainian delegates gathered in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for a new round of U.S.-mediated peace talks, though expectations for a breakthrough remain low as Russia appears determined to continue fighting rather than negotiate a settlement to the war, now in its fifth year.

The first day of the talks ended after four hours of discussions, which White House special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are once again mediating after having held a series of meetings with officials across Europe and Russia in recent weeks as they engage in a renewed charge of shuttle diplomacy.

Addressing delegates at the start of Tuesday’s meeting, Kushner said the United States had some good ideas on how to make progress in negotiations, adding that U.S. President Donald Trump was committed to achieving peace.

“He really has asked us to put extra effort into trying to find a solution that hopefully ends the war but also leaves both sides in a much stronger position,” Kushner said.

Last week, Trump said the Ukraine war was close to being settled — a claim he has made multiple times since taking office in January 2025. In his latest comments, Trump said a “big beautiful agreement” might involve the security of all Europe.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Tuesday that the first day of the renewed peace talks was “very productive,” but that there was still a lot of work to be done.

Delegates from Russia and Ukraine last met in Geneva in February, but further negotiations were put on hold following the outbreak of the U.S. Israel war against Iran. Since then, Ukraine and Russia have dramatically ramped up their attacks on each other’s territory, inflicting significant economic pain and a growing human toll.

Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinsky, an arch-conservative who previously served as Russia’s culture minister, is again serving as the chief negotiator of the Russian delegation.

Shortly before Tuesday’s opening session with Russian officials, Ukrainian delegates and…

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