Kremlin calls U.S.-Ukraine-Russia talks ‘constructive’ as Abu Dhabi negotiations continue with major hurdles ahead

Diplomacy resumes, but gaps remain

Russian officials described recent talks in Abu Dhabi among delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Russia as constructive, while stressing that no breakthrough has been reached. The contacts are part of a U.S.-driven effort to move the sides toward a deal that could halt the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, now approaching its fourth year.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the fact that dialogue is taking place in what Moscow considers a workable format is positive, but warned that “serious work” remains. Ukraine, for its part, has welcomed the chance to keep talking while repeating that any agreement must preserve sovereignty and provide credible security guarantees to prevent renewed aggression.

Territory and security guarantees: the hardest questions

The core dispute remains territorial control, especially in eastern and southern regions where Russia holds ground and continues to press its demands. Kyiv has insisted that its territorial integrity is non-negotiable, while Moscow has framed its objectives around recognizing its claims and limiting Ukraine’s future alignment with Western security structures.

Officials have also discussed the outline of a postwar security arrangement for Ukraine, with U.S. negotiators seeking terms that could support a ceasefire and provide enforceable guarantees. Ukraine has argued that a durable settlement requires more than promises; it needs structures that make renewed attacks far more costly and less likely.

War continues as talks proceed

Even as diplomats meet, military operations continue, including drone and missile strikes and counterattacks. The ongoing violence reinforces the urgency of negotiations but also makes compromise politically and socially harder for both sides, as each new strike deepens mistrust and raises domestic pressure on leaders not to concede.

Next steps

• More meetings are expected in the UAE as the U.S. continues to push for an initial halt in fighting followed by a broader framework.
• Ukraine is pressing for security guarantees to be defined early, not left until the end of negotiations.
• Russia’s position signals that territorial terms will remain a central sticking point.

For now, the Abu Dhabi channel appears open and active, but the distance between the parties suggests that any final deal would require major political choices in Kyiv and Moscow—choices that are still far from settled.