The first trilateral peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States concluded in Abu Dhabi without a breakthrough, as intensified fighting across Ukraine resulted in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The two-day negotiations, hosted by the United Arab Emirates, ended with no immediate agreement but plans for another meeting next week, highlighting the deep divisions over territory and security that continue to fuel Europe’s deadliest conflict in decades.
The talks marked a rare direct engagement between the three nations since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, focusing on parameters for ending the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for American oversight in any peace process, while an unnamed US official described the discussions as productive, with a new round scheduled to begin on February 1 in Abu Dhabi. However, the diplomatic efforts were overshadowed by ongoing violence, with Russian airstrikes targeting energy infrastructure in Kyiv and Kharkiv overnight, killing at least one person and injuring dozens more in sub-zero temperatures.
Ukrainian officials reported that the attacks left thousands of buildings without heating, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis as winter grips the region. In response, Russia accused Ukraine of attacking an ambulance in the Kherson region, killing three medics, and later reported a Ukrainian missile strike on energy infrastructure in Belgorod, though these claims could not be independently verified. The escalation underscored the fragility of the negotiations, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemning the Russian strikes as barbaric and asserting that President Vladimir Putin’s actions undermine the peace process.
Central to the stalemate is the disputed Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, where Russia demands Ukrainian withdrawal as a precondition for any settlement. Kremlin officials reiterated this stance, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling it a very important condition, while Ukraine has firmly rejected ceding territory it still controls. Zelensky noted in Davos that it’s all about the land, indicating that territorial integrity remains a non-negotiable issue for Kyiv, complicating efforts to bridge the gap between the two sides.
The Abu Dhabi meetings followed high-level diplomacy, including a visit by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow, where Putin expressed Russia’s commitment to a political solution but insisted on addressing territorial issues. US President Donald Trump, who has pushed for a deal, met with Zelensky earlier, discussing potential security guarantees for Ukraine post-conflict. However, Trump’s past pressure on Ukraine to accept terms viewed as capitulation has added complexity to the negotiations, with European allies wary of concessions that might reward Russian aggression.
International observers have noted that while the talks represent a significant step, the lack of progress reflects the entrenched positions on both sides. The war has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and devastated eastern Ukraine, with no end in sight. The UAE’s role as mediator has been praised, but the continued violence suggests that diplomatic channels are being tested by military realities on the ground, where Russia maintains control over roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Looking ahead, the scheduled next round of talks offers a glimmer of hope, but the immediate future is likely to see sustained fighting. Zelensky has expressed willingness to continue dialogue, emphasizing the need for mutual desire to end the war, while Putin has warned that Russia will pursue its objectives on the battlefield if negotiations fail. The international community, including the EU, has condemned the attacks on civilian infrastructure, calling for renewed efforts to de-escalate and support Ukraine’s resilience amid freezing conditions and power cuts.
