Kremlin calls Abu Dhabi talks with U.S. and Ukraine constructive, but core disputes still block progress
Russia says recent Abu Dhabi negotiations involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia were constructive, while acknowledging that major obstacles remain. Ukrainian officials also described the talks as useful but stressed that disagreements—especially over territory—are unresolved as diplomacy continues alongside ongoing fighting.
- BYLINE
- Lagos Tribune News Desk
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Russia’s Kremlin said talks in Abu Dhabi that involved representatives of the United States, Ukraine, and Russia were “constructive,” while cautioning that significant challenges still stand in the way of a breakthrough. The comments came as Washington continues a sustained effort to push the parties toward an agreement to end the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the discussions positively but said there was no decisive result, a sign that the negotiations remain difficult and incremental. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed that the meetings had value, while stressing that the toughest political questions—especially those tied to land and sovereignty—remain unsettled.
A central sticking point continues to be territory held by Russia. Ukraine has repeatedly said it cannot accept outcomes that cement Russian control over occupied areas, while Moscow has maintained demands linked to the regions it claims. The AP report notes that U.S. President Donald Trump has set deadlines for an agreement and has threatened additional sanctions on Russia, but has not publicly signaled that President Vladimir Putin has shifted from his stated positions.
Diplomacy is moving alongside continued military operations. Even as negotiators meet, strikes and counterstrikes persist, adding urgency for civilian protection and infrastructure resilience during winter conditions. The talks are expected to continue, with Washington trying to translate tentative momentum into a workable ceasefire framework and postwar security arrangements.
Zelenskyy said a U.S. security guarantees document for Ukraine in a postwar scenario is “100% ready,” but still requires formal signing and later ratification steps. Ukraine has framed such guarantees as essential to any durable settlement, arguing that without clear commitments, the risk of renewed aggression remains high.