Abu Dhabi has positioned itself as a pivotal diplomatic arena for high-stakes trilateral discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing Ukraine conflict. On January 23, 2026, senior officials from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States convened in the UAE capital to deliberate on a American-proposed peace framework, despite persistent disagreements over territorial sovereignty.
This latest diplomatic initiative represents the sixth major attempt to broker a cessation of hostilities since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The current negotiations follow five previously unsuccessful diplomatic endeavors:
The initial negotiations occurred mere days after the invasion commenced, with meetings near the Belarusian border. Russian delegates presented ultimatums including Ukrainian recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea and the Donbas regions—terms immediately rejected by Kyiv as unacceptable.
Subsequent talks in Antalya and Istanbul during March 2022 showed tentative progress, with Russia offering partial troop withdrawals and Ukraine considering neutral status. These discussions collapsed following the discovery of mass civilian casualties in Bucha after Russian forces withdrew from the Kyiv suburb.
Diplomatic efforts remained dormant throughout 2023-2024 until President Donald Trump’s return to office in January 2025. The new administration reversed previous policies of isolating Moscow while simultaneously suspending military assistance to Ukraine. Despite direct engagement with Vladimir Putin, Trump’s administration secured only a temporary—and frequently violated—commitment to avoid targeting energy infrastructure.
Further negotiations in Istanbul during May 2025 yielded limited success, resulting solely in prisoner exchanges without achieving a ceasefire agreement. The subsequent Trump-Putin summit in Alaska marked the Russian leader’s first visit to Western territory since the invasion began, yet concluded without tangible concessions or progress toward ending hostilities.
The current Abu Dhabi negotiations represent a continuation of months of shuttle diplomacy conducted by American envoys between Moscow and Kyiv. While President Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a settlement, fundamental disagreements regarding territorial control continue to present significant obstacles to any comprehensive peace agreement.