Ukraine-Russia-US: UAE Security Talks Aim for Breakthrough

Ukrainian, US, and Russian officials are scheduled to hold security talks in the United Arab Emirates today, following discussions between US negotiators and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow regarding a US-drafted plan to end the Ukraine war.

Diplomatic Efforts Underway

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, Europe’s deadliest since World War II, have intensified in recent months, though significant disagreements remain, particularly concerning territorial issues in a potential post-war settlement.

US negotiators, led by envoy Steve Witkoff, met with Putin in Moscow into the early hours of this morning, according to the Kremlin. Kremlin diplomatic adviser Yuri Ushakov described the discussions as “useful in every respect.” Mr. Witkoff and his team are now en route to Abu Dhabi for continued talks.

A Russian delegation, headed by General Igor Kostyukov, director of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency, will also travel to Abu Dhabi “in the coming hours,” Ushakov stated. “It was agreed that the first meeting of a trilateral working group on security issues will take place today in Abu Dhabi,” he added.

Ushakov affirmed Russia’s interest in a political and diplomatic resolution but also stated that Russia will continue pursuing its objectives “on the battlefield” until an agreement is reached.

Witkoff previously indicated that the parties were “down to one issue,” without providing further details.

Statements from Leaders

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a draft deal was “nearly, nearly ready” and that he and former US President Donald Trump had agreed on post-war security guarantees. Zelensky also stated that the UK and France have committed to providing forces on the ground.

Ukraine’s delegation to the UAE meeting will be led by Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council Rustem Umerov, and will include Lieutenant General Andriy Gnatov, the chief of staff of Ukrainian armed forces.

Russia currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine and is seeking full control of the eastern Donbas region as part of any agreement. Kyiv has warned against ceding territory, fearing it would embolden Moscow and lead to renewed aggression.

The specifics of the upcoming talks in the United Arab Emirates have not been fully disclosed, and it remains unclear whether Russian and Ukrainian officials will meet directly. Zelensky said the talks are expected to last two days.

Trump, speaking at Davos, reiterated his belief that Putin and Zelensky are close to a deal, stating, “I believe they’re at a point now where they can come together and get a deal done. And if they don’t, they’re stupid – that goes for both of them.”

Zelensky, also at Davos, criticized the EU’s lack of “political will” in countering Putin, stating, “Instead of becoming a truly global power, Europe remains a beautiful but fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers.” He also criticized Europe for relying on the United States for security.

Recent Russian strikes have left much of Kyiv without electricity, and 4,000 buildings without heat in sub-zero temperatures. Russia claims these strikes target energy infrastructure supporting Ukraine’s “military-industrial complex,” while Kyiv denounces them as war crimes aimed at civilian populations.