- Russia's negotiating team is led by Vladimir Medinsky, includes Sergei Ryabkov for the first time, and is described as "quite a serious team" able to discuss territorial issues and European security.
- US-led talks are resuming after Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff visited Moscow and Kyiv, and Trump touted a "very big" deal with Russia that will "involve all of Europe".
- The EU and its allies will be present in Abu Dhabi, though their role is unclear; the Kremlin insists the talks remain trilateral, while EU chief Ursula von der Leyen confirmed EU participation.
- Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine, devastating its energy sector, while Ukraine faces mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has criticized Volodymyr Zelenskyy and struck a diesel deal with Vladimir Putin.
U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian officials are convening in Abu Dhabi for crucial peace talks aimed at resolving nearly five years of conflict. This marks the first negotiations in over nine months, amid rising tensions as winter approaches.
Despite the Kremlin's insistence on a trilateral format, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the EU's presence, stating, "the EU will be present alongside our partners." This has raised concerns among Kyiv's allies about potential compromises that could undermine Ukraine's position.678
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed fears of a "Yalta 2.0," warning against Western leaders dividing Europe with Russia, while also noting that Russia has intensified attacks leading up to the talks to pressure Ukraine.910
Political expert Volodymyr Fesenko remarked that Ukrainians are "very pessimistic" about the negotiations, although he acknowledged a recent ceasefire in the Kherson region as a positive precedent for potential local truces.
The Russian negotiating team, led by Vladimir Medinsky, includes key figures such as Sergei Ryabkov and Igor Kostyukov, indicating a serious approach to discussing military and territorial issues, as well as security guarantees. Alexander Gabuev from the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center noted the team's capability to address a wide range of topics, including European security.123
The U.S.-led talks are resuming after a period of inactivity, following meetings involving Jared Kushner and Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev.45
“Kremlin insisted talks remain trilateral, while EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said 'the EU will be present alongside our partners'. Russia's team, led by Putin aide Medinsky, also includes spy chief Igor Kostyukov and army general Yuri Zhygarlovsky, and is described as 'quite a serious team'.”
CGTN
