Blurb:
Initial trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi concluded without progress, even as air strikes and counterattacks escalated hostilities.
Abu Dhabi
The first three-way peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States have concluded in Abu Dhabi without any apparent breakthrough, against the backdrop of intensified fighting on the ground. The two-day negotiations, the first such trilateral meeting since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, ended amid fresh waves of violence and renewed accusations from both sides.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that further discussions could take place as early as next week, signalling cautious optimism despite the lack of tangible outcomes. An unnamed American official confirmed that a new round of talks is scheduled to begin on February 1, once again in Abu Dhabi, suggesting that diplomatic channels remain open.
The talks concluded after Russian air strikes reportedly targeted Ukraine’s already badly damaged energy infrastructure. Ukrainian authorities said the attacks killed at least one person and injured 35 others, further straining civilian life during the winter months. Energy facilities have been a recurring target in the conflict, leaving large parts of the country vulnerable to power outages and shortages.
Russia, meanwhile, accused Ukraine of attacking an ambulance in territory under Ukrainian control, claiming the strike killed three medics. Moscow also reported a Ukrainian missile attack on energy infrastructure in the Belgorod region, close to the Ukrainian border. Kyiv has not publicly commented on these specific allegations.
In a post on X, Zelensky said the central focus of the discussions was the possible parameters for ending the war. He emphasised the importance of US involvement, adding that he highly valued the understanding of the need for American monitoring and oversight of the process of ending the war and ensuring genuine security. According to Zelensky, all three sides agreed to report back to their respective capitals and coordinate further steps with their leaders.
An American official described the agreement to continue talks as a good sign, noting that a lot of work had been completed during the two days of negotiations, even if no immediate results were announced.
