New negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the USA have started in Abu Dhabi

In the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, a negotiation process has been launched that could influence the trajectory of the war. It involves a trilateral format with delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and USA. The start of the work was announced by the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Rustem Umerov.

The negotiations are structured on a modular principle. The parties work in separate groups on directions, after which a resynchronization of positions is planned. This approach, according to Umerov, allows for not mixing topics and moving progressively, even with tough disagreements.

Parallel confirmation of the process launch also came from Moscow — citing a source in TASS. They emphasize: the negotiations are at an early stage, formats and tracks will be diverse, and public comments are not planned. The closed mode is a conscious choice.

The composition of the delegations reflects the level of stakes. The Russian side is headed by Igor Kostyukov. From the USA, special envoy of Donald Trump Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner participate. Ukraine is represented by Rustem Umerov and the head of the President’s Office Kyrylo Budanov.

In the midst of this complex diplomatic configuration, it is important to understand the context: NANews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency have repeatedly noted that any contacts of this level unfold not in a vacuum, but under the pressure of the front, economy, and public expectations — and therefore their real weight is measured not by statements, but by consequences.

The first round and the knot of issues

The closed meeting on January 23–24 became the starting point. Speaking in the US Congress, Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the main deadlock: the territorial issue remains the only unresolved element in preparing the peace plan. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky firmly fixed Kyiv’s position — discussion of territories is possible only at his personal meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

The factor of war

Amid diplomacy, the war does not stop. It is the 1441st day of full-scale hostilities. Russia has delivered the most powerful strike on Ukraine’s energy system since the beginning of the year. In Kyiv, they openly say: such attacks inevitably affect the atmosphere of negotiations and the readiness of the parties to compromise.

What’s next

Abu Dhabi today is not a platform for loud gestures, but a working zone. According to Umerov, the current format allows for carefully building common frameworks without nullifying the positions of the parties. It is about agreeing on principles, not final decisions.

The information vacuum around the process increases tension. Experts and the public are forced to read signals by indirect signs: the composition of delegations, statements on other platforms, dynamics on the front.

Work in Abu Dhabi will continue. The next stage involves deepening discussions on key topics — from territorial parameters to security mechanisms. Compromise is possible, but only with the coincidence of political will and real steps on the ground.