Kremlin Deems Abu Dhabi Talks 'Constructive' Amidst Persistent Challenges for Ukraine Settlement

Trilateral Discussions Conclude in Abu Dhabi

Recent trilateral talks involving delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States in Abu Dhabi have been described by the Kremlin as 'constructive,' marking a rare direct engagement between the warring parties. The two-day meetings, held on Friday and Saturday, January 23-24, 2026, were part of a US-brokered initiative aimed at finding a resolution to the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Monday, January 26, 2026, that 'The very fact that these contacts have begun in a constructive way can be assessed positively, but there is still serious work ahead.'

No Major Breakthroughs, Significant Hurdles Remain

Despite the positive assessment of the dialogue's atmosphere, Peskov cautioned against expectations of immediate breakthroughs, noting that 'it would be a mistake to expect any significant results from the initial contacts.' He also highlighted the absence of 'friendliness' at this stage, emphasizing the complex nature of the negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed the 'constructive' tone, acknowledging that 'a lot was discussed' but that 'complex political issues... remain unresolved,' particularly concerning territorial matters.

Core Disagreements on Territorial Issues

The discussions focused on elements of a proposed US peace framework, including confidence-building measures, security guarantees, and the highly contentious territorial issues. A central point of contention remains the status of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, encompassing Donetsk and Luhansk. Russia continues to insist on the full withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from approximately 5,000 square kilometers of the Donetsk region as a core condition for peace. Kyiv, however, has consistently rejected ceding any territory, viewing it as a violation of its sovereignty.

Delegations and Future Prospects

The delegations included high-ranking officials from all three nations. The Russian side featured presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, envoy Kirill Dmitriev, and military intelligence representatives, including GRU military intelligence chief Adm Igor Kostyukov. Ukraine was represented by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and Office of the President head Kyrylo Budanov. US envoys included Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with military participation from figures like US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. A new round of trilateral meetings is anticipated to take place next week, with some reports indicating a possible resumption on February 1.