Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Russia said it will hold security talks with the United States and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi on Friday, but warned that a durable peace would not be possible unless territorial issues were resolved.
Late-night Putin meeting with U.S. envoys
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters the talks began shortly before midnight and lasted about four hours, describing them as “substantive, constructive and very frank.”
Putin, Ushakov and investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev took part in the talks on the Russian side, Ushakov said.
Planned Abu Dhabi talks and separate economic meeting
Ushakov said Russian Admiral Igor Kostyukov would head Moscow’s team at the three-way security talks.
He added that Dmitriev would meet separately on economic issues with Steve Witkoff, the envoy of President Donald Trump.
No breakthrough claimed as Russia reiterates territorial stance
While outlining the next steps, Ushakov did not describe the meeting as a major breakthrough.
“Most importantly, during these talks between our president and the Americans, it was reiterated that without resolving the territorial issue according to the formula agreed upon in Anchorage, there is no hope of achieving a long-term settlement,” Ushakov said, referring to last year’s Trump-Putin summit in Alaska.
Ushakov said Putin underlined that Russia was “sincerely interested” in a diplomatic solution.
He added: “Until this is achieved, Russia will continue to consistently pursue the objectives of the special military operation. This is especially true on the battlefield, where the Russian armed forces hold the strategic initiative.”
Ukraine cites winter strikes as evidence Russia is not pursuing peace
Ukraine is enduring its harshest winter of the war as Russia mounts heavy missile and drone strikes on its energy infrastructure.
With temperatures well below freezing, hundreds of thousands of people in Kyiv and other cities have suffered long power cuts and been left without heating.
Ukraine cites this as evidence that Putin has no real interest in peace, which Moscow disputes. It says Russia’s gradual advances have come at enormous cost.
What do you think the Abu Dhabi talks could change in the prospects for a long-term settlement?