In a significant diplomatic development, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in marathon overnight discussions with special envoys representing former U.S. President Donald Trump, focusing on potential pathways to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Kremlin negotiations, extending past 3 a.m. Moscow time on Friday, produced a critical breakthrough with the announcement of upcoming trilateral talks involving Russian, Ukrainian, and American officials in the United Arab Emirates.
Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who participated in the extensive talks characterized as “frank, constructive, and fruitful,” emphasized that territorial disputes remain central to any lasting peace agreement. “It was reaffirmed that reaching a long-term settlement can’t be expected without solving the territorial issue,” Ushakov stated, referencing Moscow’s demand for Ukrainian troop withdrawal from eastern regions that Russia has illegally annexed.
The diplomatic momentum built simultaneously at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a closed-door meeting with Trump lasting approximately one hour. Zelenskyy described the discussions as “productive and meaningful,” while Trump later noted that both Russian and Ukrainian leaders appear willing to make concessions to end the conflict, though acknowledging that territorial boundaries remain a persistent sticking point.
Zelenskyy used his platform in Davos to deliver sharp criticism of European allies, accusing them of fragmented responses and inadequate support. Drawing parallels to the film ‘Groundhog Day,’ he expressed frustration that his warnings about European defense preparedness have gone unheeded over the past year. The Ukrainian leader specifically highlighted Europe’s slow decision-making processes, insufficient defense spending, and failure to effectively counter Russia’s sanctions-evading “shadow fleet” of oil tankers.
The emerging peace process faces complex challenges amid ongoing military realities. Russia currently controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory gained since hostilities began in 2014 and expanded through the 2022 full-scale invasion. Ukraine faces significant shortages in both military resources and personnel, with defense officials reporting approximately 200,000 troop desertions and widespread draft-dodging affecting nearly 2 million citizens.
The UAE-mediated talks represent the most substantial diplomatic movement in months, with a Russian delegation led by military intelligence chief Admiral Igor Kostyukov scheduled to participate. Separate economic discussions between Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Trump representative Steve Witkoff are also planned, indicating a multifaceted approach to conflict resolution.