US-Ukraine-Russia Trilateral Talks in Abu Dhabi Mark Diplomatic Breakthrough
First Trilateral Engagement Since 2022 Conflict
US Ukraine Russia trilateral talks began in Abu Dhabi on January 23, 2026, marking the first time representatives from all three countries have formally convened since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The talks are being closely watched as a potential turning point in a conflict that has stretched into its fourth year.
The meetings were preceded by a late-night Kremlin session on January 22, where Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Officials described that meeting as preparatory, setting the stage for the Abu Dhabi dialogue.
Neutral Venue Chosen for Sensitive Negotiations
Abu Dhabi was selected as the venue due to its neutral diplomatic standing and prior role in indirect negotiations involving Moscow and Kyiv. The talks are scheduled to run across January 23 and 24, with multiple tracks addressing security, political and economic dimensions of the conflict.
Diplomatic sources said the structure reflects lessons drawn from earlier bilateral shuttling between Washington, Kyiv and Moscow, which failed to break the deadlock on core issues.
Security Talks Take Priority
Military-to-Military Format Activated
At the heart of the Abu Dhabi process is a trilateral working group focused on security issues. These military-to-military discussions are intended to explore ceasefire mechanisms, de-escalation measures and postwar security guarantees for Ukraine.
Parallel discussions between US and Russian officials are also planned, focusing on economic issues and postwar reconstruction. It remains unclear whether Russian and Ukrainian representatives engaged in direct face-to-face talks during the initial phase.
Territorial Control Remains Unresolved
Despite the renewed diplomatic momentum, territorial control continues to be the central obstacle. Russia maintains that Ukraine must formally cede territories under Russian occupation, particularly in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas and Donetsk regions.
Ukrainian officials have rejected permanent territorial concessions but signalled willingness to discuss phased or conditional arrangements under international guarantees. Both sides acknowledged that without progress on territory, no durable settlement is possible.
Who Is at the Table in Abu Dhabi
Key Delegations and Envoys
The US delegation is led by special envoy Steve Witkoff, with Jared Kushner playing a senior advisory role. Reports also indicate the involvement of Josh Gruenbaum, a senior adviser linked to the Trump administration’s peace initiative.
Russia’s delegation is headed by General Igor Kostyukov, director of the GRU military intelligence agency. Kirill Dmitriev, a close aide to Putin, is participating in separate economic discussions. Ukraine is represented by senior officials, though President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not attending in person.
Statements Reflect Hard Bargaining
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described Putin’s meeting with US envoys as “useful in every respect” and confirmed agreement on forming a trilateral working group. He reiterated that Russia would continue military operations until its core demands, including territorial recognition, are met.
Zelenskyy stated that peace proposals were “nearly ready” but stressed that Russia must show readiness for compromise. He described the Donbas question as the “key” issue in Abu Dhabi and highlighted the need for legally binding security guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump Signals Urgency and Pressure
US President Donald Trump publicly indicated impatience with prolonged negotiations, stating that both Putin and Zelenskyy would be “stupid” to walk away without a deal. He said that all parties were making concessions but acknowledged that borders and territory remained the principal sticking point.
Trump also pointed to Ukraine’s worsening humanitarian situation during winter, following Russian strikes on power and heating infrastructure, as a factor driving the urgency of talks.
Background to the Renewed Diplomatic Push
Since 2022, Russia has occupied significant parts of eastern and southern Ukraine, including nearly one-fifth of the Donetsk region. Previous diplomatic efforts collapsed over disagreements on NATO expansion, security guarantees and territorial sovereignty.
One year into office, the Trump administration has reduced open-ended military aid to Ukraine while intensifying diplomatic engagement. Envoys have been active since late 2025, building towards the current trilateral format.
Talks Continue Under Global Scrutiny
As of the afternoon of January 23, 2026, discussions in Abu Dhabi were ongoing or set to formally begin later in the evening local time. No breakthroughs or cancellations were reported, and officials on all sides urged caution in interpreting early signals.
International observers view the talks as a rare diplomatic opening with potentially far-reaching consequences. While expectations remain measured, the trilateral format itself is seen as a significant shift after years of indirect and stalled negotiations.
