As two days of negotiations between the US, Ukraine, and Russia in Abu Dhabi drew to a close on Thursday evening, Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said that trilateral talks are set to continue “in the coming weeks.”
In a post on X, Umerov – a prominent member of the Ukrainian delegation and secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council – described the discussions as “constructive and focused on how to create the conditions for a durable peace.”
In one sense, the talks were indeed constructive. The delegation negotiated the return of 157 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians from Russian captivity – the first such exchange in the last five months.
“Over the two days, the delegations had wide-ranging discussions on the remaining open issues including methods to implement a ceasefire and monitor the cessation of military activities,” Umerov added.
However, the progress of the peace negotiations themselves remains murky. Central to the talks is Russia’s demand for Ukraine to cede its eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions – territory Russia has thus far been unable to take on the battlefield. Also on Thursday, reports emerged that Moscow plans to demand international recognition of its supposed claim to Donbas.
“The delegations agreed to report back to their respective capitals and to continue trilateral discussions in the coming weeks,” Umerov said, before expressing his gratitude to both the United Arab Emirates for hosting the talks and US President Donald Trump for his “leadership” in efforts to end the war.
Later on Thursday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram that he had received a report from Ukraine’s negotiating team, but that a full report would have to wait as many aspects “could not be properly discussed over the phone.”
“What can already be said is that further meetings are planned in the near future, likely in the United States,” Zelensky said.
“We are ready for all workable formats that can genuinely bring peace closer and make it reliable, lasting, and such that deprives Russia of any appetite to continue the war. It is crucial that this war ends in a way that leaves Russia with no reward for its aggression.”