Russia will participate in trilateral peace talks with the United States and Ukraine for the first time, with the meeting scheduled in Abu Dhabi, the Kremlin confirmed.
The talks follow separate discussions between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin officials described prior meetings as “substantive, constructive, and frank,” but cautioned that a breakthrough was not guaranteed.
Ukraine will be represented by lead negotiator Rustem Umerov and chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov, while Admiral Igor Kostyukov will head the Russian delegation.
The negotiations center on territorial disputes in eastern Ukraine, with Moscow insisting on control of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, a demand Kyiv has rejected as a threat to its defensive positions.
Zelenskyy also criticized Europe for slow support during his Davos speech, though EU leaders highlighted over €193bn in aid committed to Ukraine in recent years. Both sides remain focused on territorial issues and securing US backing for their positions.
