In a significant diplomatic development, Russia, the United States, and Ukraine have agreed to convene security discussions in the United Arab Emirates, marking the first tripartite dialogue since the inception of Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine nearly four years ago. The confirmation came from Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who disclosed that the Russian delegation would be led by General Igor Kostyukov, director of the GRU military intelligence agency, acting upon Putin’s direct instructions.
The negotiating teams will feature prominent representatives from each nation. The US contingent will be headed by President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, while Ukraine’s delegation will be orchestrated by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. Although specific details remain guarded, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that this inaugural trilateral meeting would span two days in Abu Dhabi.
This breakthrough follows extensive late-night discussions at the Kremlin between Putin, Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, which concluded in the early hours of Friday. Ushakov, who participated in these marathon talks, emphasized that any enduring settlement must address territorial disputes—a clear reference to Moscow’s insistence on Ukrainian withdrawal from Russian-controlled eastern regions. He characterized the US-Russia dialogue as mutually beneficial, noting Washington’s optimism that continued communication could facilitate conflict resolution.
Concurrently, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Zelensky underscored that genuine progress would necessitate reciprocal concessions from both combatants, not unilateral sacrifices from Kyiv alone. He acknowledged the ‘difficult situation’ confronting both nations and the unresolved status of occupied territories, despite nearly finalized peace proposals. Zelensky’s private meeting with Trump on the forum’s sidelines was described by the US president as productive, with Trump noting ‘everyone’s making concessions’ to achieve peace.
Envoys report substantial advancements in the prolonged negotiations, with Witkoff revealing that discussions have narrowed to a single pivotal issue, suggesting a potentially solvable deadlock. However, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte urged sustained focus on Ukraine, cautioning that while peace talks are promising, successful conclusion remains distant. The US has engaged in separate consultations with Russian, Ukrainian, and European leaders on various draft frameworks, though no formal agreement has been realized despite Trump’s repeated commitments to broker a resolution.