Russia, Ukraine and US to hold landmark trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi

The Kremlin has confirmed that Russia will join the United States and Ukraine for their first direct trilateral peace talks, taking place today in Abu Dhabi.

This follows US President Donald Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos, and a four-hour discussion in Moscow on Thursday night between Vladimir Putin and Trump's peace envoy Steve Witkoff alongside son-in-law Jared Kushner. Russian officials described the talks as “constructive and trusting” but cautioned against expecting an immediate breakthrough.

Russia maintains that any lasting deal must resolve territorial issues, particularly full control of Donetsk and Luhansk, and will continue military operations until an agreement is reached.

Ukraine's delegation will include Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, while Russia will be represented by Admiral Igor Kostyukov.

Zelenskyy suggested the trilateral format was a last-minute push from Washington after his “positive” talks with Trump.