Ukraine and Russia have agreed to hold a second round of US-brokered direct peace talks next weekend in Abu Dhabi, signaling cautious progress in efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict. The talks follow an initial two-day meeting where US officials described “a lot of progress” in defining key issues, despite ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
The trilateral discussions, involving Ukrainian and Russian representatives along with US envoys, are scheduled to resume on 1 February. According to a US official, “getting everyone together was a big step,” highlighting the diplomatic breakthrough of bringing both sides into direct contact. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the initial meeting was “constructive” and covered a wide range of topics critical to reaching a settlement.
The resumption of talks comes as Russia launched a series of drone and missile attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv, targeting energy infrastructure and causing widespread outages of heat, water, and power. Ukrainian officials reported one death and at least 15 injuries in the strikes, prompting criticism that Moscow’s actions undermined diplomatic efforts. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the attacks as “another night of Russian terror” even while negotiations were underway.
Ahead of the talks, US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff spent four hours meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, discussing unresolved issues. Officials characterized the discussion as “very productive” and focused on finalizing points critical to a potential resolution.
On the battlefield, tensions remain high. Ukrainian forces reportedly launched a major assault on Belgorod, a Russian border town, causing damage to energy infrastructure but no casualties. Meanwhile, Russian forces claimed to have taken control of Starytsya, a village in the Kharkiv region, although Ukrainian military sources did not confirm the takeover.
In addition to military developments, an oil tanker suspected of belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet was intercepted en route to southern France for inspection, raising international scrutiny over maritime activities related to the conflict.
As Kyiv and Moscow prepare for the next round of face-to-face discussions, the international community continues to watch closely, balancing hope for progress with the reality of continued violence. The upcoming talks represent both a diplomatic opportunity and a reminder of the challenges that remain in achieving a sustainable peace in the region.
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