US-led peace talks for Russia and Ukraine will look at security guarantees for both sides
U.S., Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are meeting in Abu Dhabi for the first time since February to discuss ending the nearly five-year war, with security guarantees for both sides topping the agenda. European officials are participating despite Moscow's rejection of their role. The two-day session follows a large prisoner-of-war exchange agreed by Russia and Ukraine after U.S.-mediated talks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said post-war security guarantees are a key focus. Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv occurred before and after the talks, which the Kremlin has not publicly linked to the negotiations.
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- ✓ U.S., Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are holding talks in Abu Dhabi for the first time since February.
- ✓ Security guarantees for both sides are a top agenda item, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- ✓ European officials are participating despite the Kremlin rejecting their role.
- ✓ Russia and Ukraine agreed to a large prisoner-of-war exchange after U.S.-mediated talks.
What changed
European officials joined the U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi over Kremlin objections, and Russia and Ukraine agreed to a large prisoner exchange after the negotiations.
Live updates
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U.S.-led peace talks resume in Abu Dhabi with Europeans joining despite Kremlin objections
U.S., Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are meeting in Abu Dhabi for the first time since February to discuss ending the nearly five-year war, with security guarantees for both sides topping the agenda. European officials are participating despite Moscow's rejection of their role. The two-day session follows a large prisoner-of-war exchange agreed by Russia and Ukraine after U.S.-mediated talks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said post-war security guarantees are a key focus. Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv occurred before and after the talks, which the Kremlin has not publicly linked to the negotiations.
Why it matters
The Abu Dhabi round marks the first direct U.S.-brokered engagement between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in months. European involvement signals a push to shape any security framework, countering Russian demands that could limit Ukraine's defense ties. The prisoner exchange shows a functional channel exists despite maximalist public positions. Missile strikes on Kyiv underscore the war's intensity and Moscow's leverage tactics ahead of any ceasefire discussion.
What is confirmed
- U.S., Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are holding talks in Abu Dhabi for the first time since February.
- Security guarantees for both sides are a top agenda item, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- European officials are participating despite the Kremlin rejecting their role.
- Russia and Ukraine agreed to a large prisoner-of-war exchange after U.S.-mediated talks.
- Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv before and after the Abu Dhabi talks.
Still unconfirmed
- The missile strikes on Kyiv were a deliberate message from Putin to Washington timed around the talks.
What to watch next
- Whether a ceasefire or partial truce framework emerges from the two-day session
- Details of the security guarantee proposals from each side
- Kremlin's formal response to European participation in future rounds
confidence 88%Sources used for this update (13)
- www.newsday.com — Newsday | Long Island's & NYC's News Source - Newsday
- abcnews.com — ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
- NPR — Europe to join U.S.-brokered Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi, defying Kremlin objections
- The Guardian — Ukraine war briefing: post war ‘security guarantees’ a key focus in upcoming Abu Dhabi talks, says Rubio
- AP News — What to know about upcoming peace talks involving Russian, Ukrainian and US officials
- Financial Times — Europeans join Abu Dhabi talks in bid to thwart Russian security demands
- The New York Times — Ukraine Peace Talks Resume This Week in Abu Dhabi
- PBS — Russia-Ukraine peace talks led by U.S. will look at security guarantees for both sides
- The Moscow Times — Kremlin Rejects European Role in Upcoming Abu Dhabi Talks
- www.wyff4.com — US-led peace talks for Russia and Ukraine will look at security guarantees
- www.henryherald.com — US-led peace talks for Russia and Ukraine will look at security guarantees for both sides | World & Nation | henryherald.com
- www.bostonherald.com — Russia and Ukraine agree to a large prisoner exchange as talks end with no major breakthrough
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