Ukraine peace talks resume in Abu Dhabi after months-long pause

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   US-backed Russia-Ukraine peace talks resume in Abu Dhabi after nine-month pause

   US-mediated trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States have resumed in Abu Dhabi following a nine-month hiatus, according to Reuters and BBC reporting. President Donald Trump has said a broad deal is possible. A top Ukrainian official expressed restrained optimism about an eventual Putin-Zelenskyy meeting, while Zelenskyy claims recent battlefield gains strengthen Kyiv's negotiating position. The United States has asked Russia to accept NATO-like security backing for Ukraine. Earlier rounds of talks ended without a breakthrough, and Europe is seeking inclusion in the negotiations.

   Why it matters

   The talks mark the first direct Russia-Ukraine meeting in nine months after previous US-brokered discussions failed to produce a significant agreement. Zelenskyy says battlefield successes have improved Kyiv's hand, though the Atlantic Council has assessed that Putin wants talks but not peace. European involvement remains unresolved, with Washington signaling it wants Europe at the table while Moscow's position is unclear. The outcome will test whether the renewed diplomacy can narrow differences on security guarantees, territorial issues and a possible ceasefire.

   What is confirmed

   • Russia, Ukraine and the United States are holding US-backed talks in Abu Dhabi after a nine-month pause, according to Reuters and BBC reporting.
   • President Trump has said a broad deal between Russia and Ukraine is possible.
   • A top Ukrainian official expressed restrained optimism about an eventual meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy ahead of the trilateral talks.
   • Zelenskyy says recent battlefield gains have strengthened Kyiv's position in the US-led peace talks.
   • The United States has asked Russia to agree to NATO-like security backing for Ukraine.
   • Previous trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi ended without a significant breakthrough, according to CFR and The Conversation.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Europe will be given a formal seat at the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations.
   • Putin is willing to make territorial concessions as part of a peace deal.
   • A Putin-Zelenskyy meeting is imminent.

   What to watch next

   • Whether the Abu Dhabi talks produce a breakthrough or end without agreement as previous rounds did
   • Whether Russia accepts US-backed NATO-like security guarantees for Ukraine
   • Whether Europe secures a formal role in the negotiations and whether a Putin-Zelenskyy summit follows
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. CBS News — Top Ukrainian official expresses "restrained optimism" about eventual Putin-Zelenskyy meeting ahead of trilateral talks
   2. CNN — Ukraine peace talks to restart after 9 months. What makes them different this time?
   3. Politico — US asks Russia to agree to NATO-like backing for Ukraine
   4. Atlantic Council — Putin wants peace talks. He doesn’t want peace.
   5. Reuters — Russia, Ukraine to meet for US-backed talks after Trump says broad deal possible
   6. BBC — Ukraine peace talks resume in Abu Dhabi after months-long pause
   7. The Guardian — Ukraine war briefing: battlefield gains bolstering Kyiv's hand in US-led peace talks, Zelenskyy says
   8. Yahoo — US-mediated talks with Russia and Ukraine to start in Abu Dhabi
   9. Al Jazeera — Russia, Ukraine and US to meet as Zelenskyy claims battlefield successes
   10. WRAL — US-brokered talks are set to start in Abu Dhabi to discuss Ukraine-Russia peace deal
   11. theconversation.com — Ukraine peace talks end with no breakthrough – but Europe may be set to return from the cold
   12. www.cfr.org — What the Abu Dhabi Talks Did—and Didn’t—Achieve
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