- Russia and Ukraine launched their first first U.S.-mediated talks in nine months in Abu Dhabi.
- U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are focusing on a ceasefire, security guarantees, Ukraine’s recovery and humanitarian issues.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomed the U.S. focus on collective security but does not think Europe has much to offer.
- European leaders are scrambling for a role after years of minimizing their contact with Moscow.
- No final deal is expected, but Washington is hoping to set up regular talks and eventually bring Europe in.
For the first time in nine months, Russia and Ukraine sat down together with American mediators in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday to explore ending Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are mediating the trilateral negotiations Tuesday and Wednesday, marking a critical test of whether both sides are ready to turn quiet signals of flexibility into public compromise. With roughly 20 percent of Ukrainian territory under Russian control, the talks represent a renewed push for a ceasefire after February's Geneva round ended without a breakthrough.
Washington outlines four key priorities for ending hostilities
The American delegation entered the talks with a focused agenda. Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and special envoy, announced Monday that Washington would concentrate on ending active combat, developing "credible postwar security guarantees," and coming up with a plan to rebuild Ukraine's economy while addressing the humanitarian fallout. He also signaled broader ambitions, stating the U.S. wants to examine "where existing mechanisms have fallen short" in European security arrangements.
Before the main session, Ukrainian officials met separately with representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the EU and NATO. Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, said his delegation is "doing everything possible to ensure Europe is part of the diplomatic process."
Russia welcomes collective security focus but questions Europe's role
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised the American negotiators for prioritizing collective security, a longtime Kremlin demand. Moscow's delegation, led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, includes Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, a veteran of arms control talks and negotiations involving NATO and the OSCE.
But Russia remains openly skeptical of European involvement. Lavrov recently questioned "what added value they can actually bring to the table," reflecting Kremlin frustration with what it views as EU and UK sabotage of the 2022 Istanbul peace talks. Ryabkov laid out the Russian position bluntly on Monday, declaring in Vienna that Europe's security architecture "has been destroyed and cannot be restored" and that lasting stability is impossible without accounting for the interests of Russia and its allies.
European leaders scramble for influence after years of minimal contact with Moscow
After years of keeping contact with Moscow to a minimum, European leaders are now racing to insert themselves into talks being shaped primarily by Washington and Moscow. Late last month, the leaders of Finland and Norway broke ranks and phoned President Vladimir Putin directly, setting off a European debate about the continent's negotiating role.
A U.S. official acknowledged that Washington needs Europe to be at the table for any durable settlement. But convincing Russia to accept European participation—much less to negotiate directly with Brussels or London—remains a significant hurdle. The U.S. side is considering reviving the NATO-Russia Council as a stronger channel for dialogue and de-escalation.
Local truce provides fragile backdrop for diplomacy
Ahead of the talks, a weeklong ceasefire around Alyoshki, a front-line town in the Russian-controlled part of Kherson Region, brokered with the help of First Lady Melania Trump, let more than 750 civilians get out. That humanitarian window, along with what one American official described as a newfound "real desire on the Russian side to finish," has left Washington cautiously optimistic.
Nevertheless, Moscow and Kyiv continue to be deeply suspicious of one another, and officials admit that the outcome is anything but certain. Nobody expects a deal to be finalized this week; Washington is mainly looking to set up a regular rhythm of talks. It also hopes to eventually expand the format beyond the U.S.-Russia-Ukraine triangle to include broader European participation.
After almost five years of war and a shameful amount of Western aid, we’ll see whether Abu Dhabi delivers real movement or just another round of talks about talks.
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