Abu Dhabi: Ukrainian, Russian, and United States officials have resumed a fresh round of peace talks in the United Arab Emirates capital, entering the second day on Thursday in a continued diplomatic effort to end the nearly four-year-long war between Kyiv and Moscow. The discussions, brokered by the United States and hosted in Abu Dhabi, reflect a renewed push to bridge deep political and military divides that have kept the conflict entrenched.
The two-day trilateral talks follow an earlier session described by Ukrainian negotiators as “productive,” featuring both joint trilateral consultations and smaller thematic working groups. Ukraine’s top peace envoy, Rustem Umerov, confirmed on social media that negotiators had reconvened in the same formats, combining broader meetings and issue-specific discussions to try and find common ground.
While the formal agenda remains tightly held, the negotiations have included substantive exchanges aimed at advancing from generalized dialogue toward more concrete proposals on ending Europe’s largest conflict since World War II. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior U.S. advisers, including Jared Kushner, are part of the American delegation and are working to facilitate communication between the delegations.
However, the talks are unfolding against the backdrop of continued military tension on the ground, with hostilities persisting even as diplomats meet. Recent Russian attacks have been reported on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and energy networks, including cluster munitions strikes that killed and wounded civilians, further complicating the atmosphere in which negotiations take place. Ukraine has emphasized that such attacks underscore the urgency of reaching a real resolution, but also casts doubt on Moscow’s diplomatic intentions.
Participants have acknowledged that major differences remain, particularly on core issues such as territorial sovereignty, security guarantees, and the modalities of any ceasefire or political settlement. Although the talks are seen as a significant diplomatic step after months of relative stalemate, analysts and officials caution that immediate breakthroughs are unlikely, with the focus currently on building confidence and establishing frameworks for future engagement.
Even as the second day of negotiations progresses, international attention remains fixed on whether this U.S.-mediated process can sustain momentum and deliver tangible outcomes that reduce violence, protect civilians, and chart a credible path toward peace.