Russia-Ukraine peace talks: US says it has ideas to bridge gaps in Abu Dhabi

Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators opened two days of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, aiming to end the war. The United Arab Emirates is hosting the first meeting among the three sides since February.

Washington says it has ideas to close the remaining gaps, Anadolu Agency reported.

Russian state media, including RIA, announced the start at 0800 GMT. The United States is mediating, and the session continues Wednesday. The war is now in its fifth year.

What is the latest news in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks?

The U.S.-mediated session runs Tuesday and Wednesday. Ukraine first met officials from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission, along with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The three-way meeting with Russia followed. The agenda covers ending hostilities and the path toward peace.

What did Kushner say about the gaps between Russia and Ukraine?

Jared Kushner, a U.S. envoy and son-in-law of President Donald Trump, said Washington has spoken with both sides almost every day. Those talks have shown where the remaining gaps lie, he said. The U.S. has ideas for closing them.

Kushner said Trump has urged his team to make an extra push for a deal that ends the war and leaves both sides stronger. Trump is troubled by the casualties and humanitarian toll, he said. He believes the war has dragged on too long.

Kushner described the meeting with the Ukrainian delegation and European partners before the main session as very good. Many of the ideas now under review were developed jointly with them, he said.

Each side is asking whether the other, and Europe, truly wants peace, Kushner said. He added that the talks also aim to build a fresh security arrangement covering Ukraine, Russia and Europe. He hopes this will be the last war.

Who is attending the Russia-Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi?

Rustem Umerov leads the Ukrainian delegation. It also includes Kyrylo Budanov, Davyd Arakhamia, Serhii Kyslytsia and Vadym Skibitskyi. Vladimir Medinsky heads the Russian delegation.

Witkoff and Kushner represent the U.S. as special envoys. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan joined to welcome the participants.

He said the UAE hopes the conflict ends peacefully and described the U.S. as a strong ally in that effort. He also thanked the delegations for placing their confidence in his country.

Will Europe take part in the peace talks?

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Europeans would not take part. At a Monday press briefing, he said the talks were agreed from the start as a three-way format with U.S. mediation. He noted that the Americans and the Ukrainians each have their own lines of contact with Europeans.

Umerov said the UK, France, Italy and Germany will still send representatives to Abu Dhabi, as will NATO and the European Commission. Ukraine is holding separate coordination meetings with them to align positions and agree on next steps.

Zelenskyy has instructed the team to do everything possible to keep Europe in the diplomatic process, Umerov said. Umerov also credited EU officials with helping prepare the talks. He said that work has gone on for almost a year and intensified over the past two months.

What does Ukraine want from the peace talks?

Ukraine’s key priorities are to end hostilities and secure reliable post-war security guarantees. It also wants to ensure economic recovery and advance humanitarian efforts. Umerov said Zelenskyy has authorized the delegation to take up every issue Ukrainians want resolved to end the war.

In a Monday evening video address, Zelenskyy said the team will propose steps to reduce tensions. He also stressed the need for peace, security guarantees and resources for postwar recovery. Umerov wrote on Telegram that the agenda includes key questions on halting hostilities and the path toward peace.

Umerov said Ukraine hopes to secure lasting peace and security guarantees. It wants to leave the meeting with concrete results. He thanked the UAE for providing the venue. He also thanked Witkoff and Kushner for their active engagement in preparing the meetings.

What has Russia said about the talks?

Medinsky said Moscow hopes the meeting will move the peace process forward, in the interests of the peoples of Russia and Ukraine. He said the Russian delegation has grown and become more professional.

Peskov said the talks would focus on security guarantees.

When were the last talks between the three sides?

The last trilateral negotiations were held in Geneva, Switzerland, in February. They followed two earlier rounds in Abu Dhabi in January and February. Tuesday’s session is the first since then.