Trilateral Ukraine peace talks resume in Abu Dhabi
The trilateral Ukraine peace talks are set to resume in Abu Dhabi this week as Ukraine, Russia, and the United States attempt once again to find a path toward ending the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that envoys from all three countries will meet on Wednesday and Thursday, with energy security and territorial disputes high on the agenda.
What the trilateral Ukraine peace talks aim to achieve
Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready for serious and meaningful discussions. He stressed that Kyiv wants an outcome that leads to a real and dignified end to the war, not a temporary pause.
Ukraine’s energy system has been under sustained attack during one of the coldest winters in recent years. A temporary halt in strikes on energy infrastructure is now uncertain, making these talks especially urgent.
Why the first round of talks failed to deliver progress
The first round of trilateral Ukraine peace talks took place in late January but made little headway. The biggest obstacle remains territory.
Russia continues to demand that Ukraine give up around one fifth of the Donetsk region that remains under Kyiv’s control. Ukraine has firmly rejected this demand, calling it unacceptable and a threat to its sovereignty.
Energy ceasefire confusion adds pressure
US President Donald Trump announced last week that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to pause strikes on energy targets due to extreme cold. However, the details of that agreement remain unclear.
The Kremlin said the pause would last until Sunday. Ukraine believed it would continue until the following Friday. This confusion has raised doubts about Moscow’s intentions ahead of the Abu Dhabi meetings.
US role in the trilateral Ukraine peace talks
The United States continues to push for a deal. Trump has repeatedly said an agreement to end the war is close and has framed himself as a peacemaker.
US envoy Steve Witkoff said he held constructive talks with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida over the weekend. Senior US officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House advisers, also attended. Witkoff said he was encouraged by Russia’s stated interest in peace.
Russia signals confidence as fighting continues
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev praised Trump as a peacemaker and claimed Russia would soon achieve a military victory. At the same time, he said preventing future conflicts must be the ultimate goal.
Despite fewer reported strikes on energy facilities, fighting continues on the ground. Ukrainian officials said two people were killed in a drone attack in Dnipro, while six were injured after a strike on a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia.
What to expect next from the trilateral Ukraine peace talks
The Abu Dhabi meetings come at a critical moment. While diplomacy is back on the table, deep divisions remain over territory, security, and trust.
Whether these trilateral Ukraine peace talks can move beyond statements and pauses toward a lasting settlement will likely shape the next phase of the war.
