Russia, Ukraine and the United States moved into trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi as U.S. representative Jared Kushner said Washington had narrowed differences between Moscow and Kyiv over the past two months, though no concrete agreement was announced.
The meeting began after separate consultations between the Ukrainian delegation and representatives of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the European Union and NATO, Vesti Baku reported. Delegations from Ukraine, Russia and the United States then convened in the trilateral format.
Kushner said U.S. mediators had been in nearly daily contact with both sides and prepared proposals intended to bridge key differences. He said an agreement was possible under the right conditions but did not specify which positions had moved closer.
Security Guarantees Dominate Agenda
Security guarantees after a possible end to the war and the broader European security system are central topics in the two-day round.
Moscow supports a wider agenda, while some European governments are concerned that such an approach could accommodate Russian demands at Ukraine’s expense.
The parties’ public positions remain far apart. Russia is demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from four regions, a commitment by Kyiv not to join NATO and restrictions on Ukraine’s military. Ukraine rejects territorial concessions and says a ceasefire must be the first step.
Russian delegation chief Vladimir Medinsky expressed hope for progress toward peace. Ukrainian delegation head Rustem Umerov said Kyiv was seeking a durable peace settlement.
The current round is the first trilateral meeting since February. Earlier talks failed to produce a political breakthrough, meaning the assertion that differences have narrowed remains an assessment by U.S. mediators rather than confirmation of a deal.