US-Brokered Trilateral Peace Talks Conclude in Abu Dhabi Amid Hostility Escalation

The second round of US-brokered trilateral peace negotiations involving principals from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States concluded on January 24, 2026, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The two days of intensive discussions, which commenced on January 23, focused on defining parameters for a potential cessation of hostilities, though they concluded without an immediate accord to halt the nearly four-year conflict. Participants described the atmosphere as constructive, a sentiment starkly contrasted by a marked escalation in hostilities as Russian aerial assaults intensified against Ukrainian territory overnight into January 24.

The central agenda items addressed the contentious issue of territorial status, with the Donbas region remaining a primary sticking point. A parallel working group examined economic reconstruction, specifically reviewing a proposed 'prosperity plan' for Ukraine. The diplomatic engagement followed preparatory meetings, including one between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, 2026, and separate late-night discussions between US envoys and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Key figures led the respective delegations, underscoring the security focus. Admiral Igor Kostyukov, Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff, spearheaded the Russian security contingent, while Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, led the Ukrainian team. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff managed the economic discussions, accompanied by Jared Kushner. The Kremlin, through official Alexey Polishchuk, reiterated its fundamental position: openness to a settlement predicated on Russia's 'legitimate interests,' which include demands for Ukrainian withdrawal from currently uncontrolled Donbas areas.

Ukrainian leadership expressed strong support for the consensus reached regarding the necessity of American monitoring and control for post-conflict security. President Zelenskyy noted that the security guarantee agreement with the U.S. was finalized pending Washington's final approval. Conversely, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister condemned President Putin for ordering a massive missile strike against Ukraine while delegations were meeting, an action that reportedly caused power outages for over a million people in Kyiv amid freezing temperatures near -10 degrees Celsius.

Diplomatic continuity is confirmed, with a third round scheduled for February 1, 2026, back in Abu Dhabi, signaling a commitment to dialogue momentum despite immediate violence. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which hosted the talks, has a history of mediation, having previously facilitated 17 prisoner exchange efforts resulting in 4,641 releases. Unresolved issues complicating the security architecture include the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, occupied by Russia since March 2022, and the tension between the US commitment of 'no boots on the ground' and European desires for a small, physical monitoring presence.

Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko communicated the severe domestic impact, describing the energy situation as 'extremely difficult' and advising residents who could afford it to evacuate the capital due to infrastructure damage. This volatile environment, where high-level talks proceed alongside strikes on civilian targets, highlights the critical nature of the ongoing negotiations attempting to resolve issues persisting since the conflict's commencement in February 2022.