U.S. Envoys Press Ukraine and Russia for Deeper Commitments in Abu Dhabi
The second day of negotiations focuses on humanitarian issues and security guarantees as both sides face mounting economic and political pressures.
By Pedro Tanaka ·
U.S. mediators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are pressing Moscow and Kyiv to move beyond initial discussions during the second day of talks in Abu Dhabi, where the war has stalled with little territorial change this year. The delegations met for four hours on Tuesday, and the schedule for Wednesday includes three-way sessions followed by separate consultations between Kyiv and European officials.
Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, confirmed the start of the second day on social media. The previous session was described by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as constructive and substantive, with primary discussions centered on humanitarian matters such as prisoner exchanges and the return of children. Security guarantees were also on the table, though neither side has yet signaled a willingness to compromise on their core demands.
The diplomatic context has shifted since the last meeting in Geneva in February. The Trump administration now faces a Congress controlled by Democrats starting in January, a group likely to demand increased support for Ukraine. Simultaneously, Russia’s wartime economy is under heavy strain, while Ukraine continues to suffer from devastating aerial attacks on its power grid. These internal pressures create a window for negotiation, yet U.S. officials caution that a breakthrough will take time.
Moscow has sought to keep European countries out of the direct negotiations, citing concerns about their broader intentions on the continent. Despite this, representatives from the European Union and NATO are present in Abu Dhabi and are consulting with the Ukrainian delegation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the meeting very productive, noting that while progress is being made, the path to ending the war remains complex.
On the battlefield, fighting continues with both nations exchanging long-range missiles and drones. Overnight, Russian strikes hit the southern Zaporizhzhia region and the eastern city of Kharkiv, wounding seven civilians. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that air defenses downed 627 Ukrainian drones, with 150 intercepted over the St. Petersburg region. Regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko said the drones started a fire at the port of Ust-Luga, a major facility for Russian oil exports, injuring three workers.
The talks are scheduled to conclude later Wednesday. The choice of Abu Dhabi as a neutral venue reflects the U.S. strategy to isolate the two sides from other geopolitical influences during these early stages. Observers note that the focus on humanitarian issues may serve as a low-stakes entry point for broader agreements on security and borders.
