US mediation convenes rivals in UAE as Donbas dominates talks amid freezing strikes on Kyiv.
US-mediated negotiations between Ukraine and Russia opened Friday in Abu Dhabi, with delegations scheduled to meet over two days in an attempt to explore political pathways out of Europe’s most destructive conflict in decades.
Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan confirmed the talks had begun, saying the discussions aim to “promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.” The United Arab Emirates is hosting as a neutral venue amid intensifying winter pressures on Ukraine.
Russia’s delegation is expected to be led by Igor Kosyukov, chief of the GRU military intelligence service. Ukraine’s team is headed by former defense minister Rustem Umerov, joined by presidential chief-of-staff Kyrylo Budanov and senior advisers.
Representing Washington, Steve Witkoff is attending the talks alongside Jared Kushner, who holds no formal government role but is involved in diplomatic outreach.
Territory—specifically Donbas—has emerged as the central fault line. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the region would be a key focus, while the Kremlin reiterated demands that Ukrainian forces withdraw. Russian troops currently control nearly 90% of Donbas, a reality Kyiv rejects as illegitimate.
The talks unfold as Russia continues winter attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Strikes this week forced Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko to urge residents to seek temporary shelter outside the capital, where temperatures have plunged to around −20°C (−4°F).
In response, the European Union announced the delivery of 447 emergency generators—worth €3.7 million—from reserves in Poland, to be distributed with the Ukrainian Red Cross to hospitals, shelters, and critical services. Since the invasion began in 2022, Brussels has supplied more than 9,500 generators and over €4.2 billion in humanitarian and energy support.
Despite US-led efforts to accelerate diplomacy before the war enters its fifth year, Russia’s stance remains uncompromising. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow’s position: Ukrainian forces must leave Donbas. Whether Abu Dhabi can narrow that gap remains uncertain—but the stakes, human and strategic, could not be higher.US-mediated negotiations between Ukraine and Russia opened Friday in Abu Dhabi, with delegations scheduled to meet over two days in an attempt to explore political pathways out of Europe’s most destructive conflict in decades.
Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan confirmed the talks had begun, saying the discussions aim to “promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.” The United Arab Emirates is hosting as a neutral venue amid intensifying winter pressures on Ukraine.
Russia’s delegation is expected to be led by Igor Kosyukov, chief of the GRU military intelligence service. Ukraine’s team is headed by former defense minister Rustem Umerov, joined by presidential chief-of-staff Kyrylo Budanov and senior advisers.
Representing Washington, Steve Witkoff is attending the talks alongside Jared Kushner, who holds no formal government role but is involved in diplomatic outreach.
Territory—specifically Donbas—has emerged as the central fault line. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the region would be a key focus, while the Kremlin reiterated demands that Ukrainian forces withdraw. Russian troops currently control nearly 90% of Donbas, a reality Kyiv rejects as illegitimate.
The talks unfold as Russia continues winter attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Strikes this week forced Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko to urge residents to seek temporary shelter outside the capital, where temperatures have plunged to around −20°C (−4°F).
In response, the European Union announced the delivery of 447 emergency generators—worth €3.7 million—from reserves in Poland, to be distributed with the Ukrainian Red Cross to hospitals, shelters, and critical services. Since the invasion began in 2022, Brussels has supplied more than 9,500 generators and over €4.2 billion in humanitarian and energy support.
Despite US-led efforts to accelerate diplomacy before the war enters its fifth year, Russia’s stance remains uncompromising. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow’s position: Ukrainian forces must leave Donbas. Whether Abu Dhabi can narrow that gap remains uncertain—but the stakes, human and strategic, could not be higher.
