Russia and Ukraine held second day of US-mediated trilateral talks Wednesday in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending war, with territory expected to dominate agenda.
Delegations from Russia, Ukraine and United States began second round after nearly five hours of closed-door discussions on Tuesday, first formal trilateral since February. Russian delegation led by Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinsky, Ukrainian by National Security and Defense Council secretary Rustem Umerov, US by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
On first day parties focused on security guarantees and humanitarian issues, prisoner exchanges, return of Ukrainian civilians and children, and ways to achieve sustainable solution. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, not present, called opening constructive and quite substantive.
Media reports indicate territorial issues will be focus of second day. Politico said territory may be discussed on day two. Zelenskyy said issues to be discussed include steps toward de-escalating tensions concerning attacks on energy infrastructure and situation in Black Sea, possibility of large-scale prisoner exchange of 1,000 to 1,500 each, and possibility of trilateral meeting at leadership level.
Territory remains major obstacle. Reuters reports Russia controls about one-fifth of Ukraine and demands Ukrainian withdrawal from entire eastern Donbas region, including areas Moscow has not captured. Zelenskyy rejected surrendering territory and said Russian negotiators falsely claimed Moscow captured half of Donbas still under Ukrainian control, challenged with video evidence, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkewich confirmed Ukrainian maps closer to reality.
Kushner said: The reality is there is no trust right now between sides and that is to be expected after a conflict like this. Talks touched on territorial issues and these would be hardest to resolve.
Second day meeting lasted less than two hours, significantly shorter than Tuesday. Medinsky said parties found common ground on some issues, disagreements remained on others, and announced agreement on new large-scale prisoner exchange, details soon. In private exchange with RT after press conference, Medinsky asserted one way or another, every inch of our land will return to Russia.
US wants new security framework involving Ukraine, Russia and Europe. Russia demands neutrality and exclusion from NATO. Zelenskyy suggested demilitarized zone in Donetsk where both pull back equal portion, but only after firm US security guarantees. US and Ukraine have agreed on postwar security guarantees, details not disclosed.
European representatives remained outside trilateral format but held separate meetings. Kushner said he and Witkoff would travel to Moscow Thursday to meet Putin to raise broadening talks to include European partners.
Meanwhile Russian strikes hit six major electricity substations in central Ukraine, and attack on market in Odesa region killed three, officials said.
Analysis:
Abu Dhabi shows classic mediation sequencing, easy humanitarian wins first, hard territory second. Four-and-a-half-hour day one produced prisoner deal because both sides can claim humanity without ceding land. Two-hour day two produced no breakthrough because Donbas demand is existential. Russia wants entire Donbas surrender before ceasefire, Ukraine wants security guarantees before any territorial talk. US bridging with demilitarized zone idea and trying to link European security architecture, but no trust line from Kushner is most honest. War continues on energy grid even while talking, showing talks are parallel track not pause. Path will need leaders-level decision, negotiators cannot trade land.
Tags: #UkraineRussia #AbuDhabi #PeaceTalks #Donbas #SecurityGuarantees #Medinsky #Umerov #PrisonerExchange #Witkoff #Kushner