Peace and Security Talks Between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States (Abu Dhabi, January 2026)

2026 Abu Dhabi Triple Peace and Security Talks refer to diplomatic and military negotiations conducted in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, between representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the United States. These talks were carried out within the framework of discussions aimed at achieving peace and security arrangements to end the war initiated by Russia in 2022.

Initiation and Agenda of the Talks

Beginning of the Triple Talks

For the first time, representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the United States met in Abu Dhabi on 23 January 2026two days

Issues Discussed and Agenda Items

The main agenda items included territorial and security issuesVolodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian delegates emphasized that resolving territorial disputes, such as the future of the Donbas region, was critical to the peace process. The Russian side, however, insisted that Ukraine’s withdrawal from territories in the east was a necessary condition for peace.

Course of the Talks

Conduct of Official Negotiations

The talks in Abu Dhabi were recorded as the first trilateral meeting held face to face between delegations from Ukraine, Russia and the United States. In all diplomatic contacts, representatives from all three sides participated directly in the meetings. It was reported that direct efforts to find solutions were addressed and the parties assessed their next steps during the discussions.

Conclusion and Continuation of the Talks

Following the two-day negotiations, the talks concluded on 24 January 2026. In official statements, the parties indicated that no peace agreement had been reached, but they affirmed that future dialogue could continue. It was planned that the talks would resume in Abu Dhabi on 1 February 2026.

Security Guarantees and Relations with the United States

United States Security Guarantees Document

In a statement issued by the President of Ukraine on 25 January 2026, it was announced that a security guarantees document between the United States and Ukraine was “100 percent ready” and awaited signature. This document was prepared by the United States to define security conditions in parallel with the talks. After signing, it is expected to be ratified by the U.S. Congress and the Ukrainian Parliament in turn.

Content of the Security Guarantees

It was emphasized that the security guarantees document focused on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the United States’ security commitments. The Ukrainian side stated that such guarantees were vital for the country’s security structure and noted that achieving European Union membership by 2027 was viewed as an economic security guarantee.

Positions of the Parties

Ukraine’s Position

Ukrainian delegates prioritized the preservation of territorial integrity during the talks. The President and senior officials stressed the necessity of defending Ukraine’s eastern territories. Ukraine underscored the importance of the security guarantees document being prepared with the United States.

Russia’s Demands

The Russian side emphasized Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Donbas region as a precondition for peace and reiterated its insistence on this point. Kremlin spokespersons and officials stated that the talks had yielded no results but affirmed the need to continue political dialogue.

Role of the United States

The United States assumed a mediating role in the trilateral talks. U.S. representatives initiated efforts to facilitate security guarantees and comprehensive negotiations between the parties. It was reported that the United States participated in the talks with both military and diplomatic delegates.

International Context of the Talks

European Union and International Reactions

The talks in Abu Dhabi also generated reactions across Europe. The Ukrainian leader made statements regarding security and political matters in Europe, calling for a unified stance among European countries.

Significance of Ongoing Diplomacy

The Abu Dhabi trilateral format was assessed as part of broader international diplomatic efforts to end the war. The parties expressed their intention to evaluate both military and political agendas for future meetings.

Abu Dhabi Tripartite Talks Second Round (February 2026)

The first tripartite talks between representatives of the United States, Russia and Ukraine were held in Abu Dhabi the capital of the United Arab Emirates on 23–24 January 2026. These talks marked the initial phase of diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine War.

4 February 2026: Commencement of the New Round

A new round of tripartite talks between delegations from Russia Ukraine and the United States began on 4 February 2026 in Abu Dhabi. Ukrainian Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Ruslan Umerov announced that the talks had been launched in a tripartite format involving Ukraine the United States and Russia.

Umerov stated that the negotiation process would not be limited to joint meetings and that the parties would also hold separate bilateral discussions. Following these sessions the parties would reconvene in joint meetings to resynchronize their positions. It was reported that the process was being conducted in accordance with the instructions of Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskiy toward achieving a dignified and lasting peace.

4 February 2026: Zelenskiy’s Statements

On 4 February 2026 Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskiy assessed the newly launched round of tripartite talks in Abu Dhabi in his daily video message. Zelenskiy indicated that the talks would continue the following day and confirmed that he was receiving regular updates from the Ukrainian negotiation delegation.

Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine expected the exchange of prisoners of war with Russia to take place in the near future and emphasized that the return of prisoners to their home countries was among the top priorities. Zelenskiy affirmed that Ukraine wanted the war to end for real and asserted that Russia was the party that needed to be prepared for this outcome. He also argued that Ukraine’s allies must exert pressure on Russia to advance the peace process.

5 February 2026: Continuation of Talks

On 5 February 2026 the second day of the tripartite talks the negotiations in Abu Dhabi continued. Ruslan Umerov announced that the process would proceed as it had the previous day with initial plenary meetings followed by separate group discussions.

Umerov noted that the outcomes of the talks would be shared with the public at a later stage and stressed that the process remained ongoing. Thus the new round of talks initiated on 4 February progressed within a multistage and incremental diplomatic framework.

Ukraine’s Assessments

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his remarks following the second round of talks, evaluated the negotiations in Abu Dhabi. Zelensky stated that the details of the progress achieved during the talks would be more clearly addressed after the negotiation delegation returned to Kyiv.

Zelensky also noted that the trilateral talks are planned to continue in the coming period and that the next round of negotiations may likely take place in the United States. This statement signals that the negotiation process could be moving to a new geographic phase.

Ukraine Negotiation Delegation’s Statements

Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, provided an assessment of the second round of talks held in Abu Dhabi. Umerov stated that the negotiations were constructive and focused on establishing the conditions necessary for a lasting peace.

According to Umerov’s statements, the delegations engaged in comprehensive discussions on the implementation of a ceasefire, the monitoring of the post-conflict process, and unresolved issues. It was noted that the parties agreed to inform their respective capitals and to continue the trilateral talks in the coming weeks.

Russia’s Position and Strategic Framework

Kremlin’s Assessments

Dmitry Peskov, Spokesperson for the Russian Presidential Administration, assessed the negotiations held in Abu Dhabi. Peskov stated that the talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States were constructive yet challenging. He confirmed that the negotiations would continue.

Peskov’s remarks indicate that the negotiations are viewed not as a process likely to yield immediate results but as a phased and long-term diplomatic effort.

The New START Treaty Enters the Agenda

During the talks in Abu Dhabi, the New START Treaty between Russia and the United States also came to the forefront. Dmitry Peskov stated that there was mutual understanding that both sides must act responsibly regarding the treaty and initiate negotiations on it as soon as possible.

The New START Treaty is the most recent nuclear arms control agreement in force between Washington and Moscow, imposing limits on long-range nuclear warheads and missiles. It was signed in 2010 and is considered the successor to the previous START I and START II agreements.

Russia announced that it would continue to comply with the treaty’s obligations for an additional year; however, this extended period has now expired.

The Role of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates hosted the trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the United States. Abu Dhabi emerged as the primary diplomatic center for these talks. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that both rounds of negotiations had been productive and constructive.

UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated that the talks in Abu Dhabi had established a common ground on which the parties could continue to work. These statements reflect the importance the host country has assigned to the negotiation process.

Supporting the Diplomatic Process

Al Nahyan emphasized that the UAE places great importance on providing a dialogue environment that facilitates the narrowing of differences between the parties. It was noted that the UAE continues to support solutions with humanitarian and moral dimensions, based on its balanced relationships and partnerships with all parties involved.

In this context, the UAE has positioned itself as a facilitator aiming to ensure the trilateral negotiations progress on a sustainable diplomatic foundation.

Third Round of Negotiations (Geneva 17–18 February 2026)

The third round of trilateral negotiations between Russia the United States and Ukraine aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine is scheduled to take place in Geneva Switzerland on 17–18 February 2026. It has been announced that the agenda will include not only security issues discussed in previous rounds but also the territorial issue and other matters linked to the parties’ demands.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov in a press statement in Moscow stated that the scope of discussions in the third round would be expanded saying “This time a broader range of issues including the territorial question and other matters will be consulted on. These issues are related to our demands.”

The Russian delegation will be led by Vladimir Medinsky adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It has been reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and other officials will also participate. Peskov noted that Putin is closely monitoring the negotiation process and has provided the delegation with necessary instructions.

The first two rounds of trilateral negotiations were held in Abu Dhabi the capital of the United Arab Emirates on 23–24 January and 4–5 February 2026. It was stated that security issues were the primary focus of these talks.

Negotiation Agenda and Content

Rustem Umerov speaking on behalf of Ukraine stated that consultations were conducted in separate political and military groups organized by topic. It was indicated that the focus was on clarifying the parameters of solutions and implementation mechanisms discussed in previous days. This suggests that the negotiations have moved beyond general principle discussions into the phase of defining technical details and implementation frameworks.

Kremlin spokespersonDmitry Peskov further clarified that the third round would address a broader range of issues including the territorial question and other matters. This statement reveals that the negotiations are no longer limited to ceasefire or temporary arrangements but have been expanded to encompass structural issues such as status boundaries security guarantees and potential political arrangements.

Simultaneous Military Developments and Political Reactions

Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia for continuing its attacks on the day the new round of negotiations began in Geneva. Zelensky stated that this behavior was a clear indicator of Russia’s strategic intentions and called on allied countries to increase pressure on Moscow. This statement reflects the tension between the diplomatic process and ongoing military developments on the ground.

Steve Witkoff representing the United States stated that the parties had agreed to continue their efforts toward reaching an agreement during the third round of negotiations mediated by the United States in Geneva. This declaration indicates that although a final settlement has not yet been achieved the negotiation process is proceeding without interruption.

Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks (17 February 2026 – 26 February 2026)

Triple Diplomatic Traffic in Geneva

On 17 February 2026 a new diplomatic engagement process was launched in Geneva Switzerland between representatives of the Russian Federation the Ukraine and the United States of America. The talks were conducted in a closed-door format at a hotel in Switzerland. The United States side stated that the purpose of the process was to establish a new framework for the diplomatic resolution of the conflict.

The Ukrainian delegation emphasized that the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty were non-negotiable. The Russian delegation insisted that the status of Donetsk Luhansk and other occupied territories must be at the center of the talks. No framework agreement was reached on the first day but the parties agreed to continue the dialogue.

Second Day of the Geneva Talks

On 18 February 2026 the second day of negotiations took place in Geneva. Under U.S. mediation the parties discussed conditions for a ceasefire and the expansion of humanitarian corridors.

The Ukrainian side stated that a ceasefire was possible only if an international monitoring mechanism was established. The Russian side raised the issue of recognizing the current military control lines on the ground as factual realities. No joint declaration was issued by the end of the day and the talks were suspended with plans to resume at a later date. No formal ceasefire agreement was reached.

Continuation of Diplomatic Engagement

On 19 and 20 February technical-level talks continued in Geneva. These discussions were not made public and focused particularly on prisoner exchanges and humanitarian issues.

U.S. representatives stated that progress had been made on “limited issues.” The Ukrainian side reiterated that any lasting peace required security guarantees to be written and binding. The Russian side insisted that NATO expansion and Ukraine’s military posture must be included as formal agenda items.

21 February 2026 – Preparations for Leader-Level Talks

On 21 February 2026 a telephone conversation took place between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump. The possibility of elevating the negotiations to the leader level was discussed. The U.S. administration announced that it was working on the possibility of a trilateral summit.

At this stage no firm date was announced regarding the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin in a potential leader-level summit. Diplomatic sources confirmed that preparations were ongoing.

22–23 February 2026 – Statements by the European Union and G7

On 22 and 23 February the European Union and G7 countries issued statements reaffirming their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Members of the European Parliament stated that the negotiation process led by the United States must be transparent and consistent with international law.

It was reported that fighting had not fully ceased on the ground and military operations continued along certain front lines. The diplomatic process progressed in parallel with the military situation.

24 February 2026 – Diplomatic Messages on the Anniversary of the War

24 February 2026 marked the fourth anniversary of the war. Both the Moscow and Kyiv administrations issued statements on this date. The Ukrainian side stated that peace was only possible through the withdrawal of forces from occupied territories.

The Russian side stated that any agreement that ignored its security concerns would be unacceptable. The U.S. administration announced that diplomatic contacts would continue and preparations were underway for a new round of talks.

25–26 February 2026 – Preparations for a New Round

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak announced that a new round of peace negotiations with Russia was expected to take place on 26–27 February 2026. Yermak stated that diplomatic contacts between the parties remained active and that the planned meeting would serve as a continuation of previous talks. It was reported that the upcoming negotiation round was expected to be held in a designated center in Europe.

The planned talks are expected to cover ceasefire conditions security guarantees and the concrete formulation of the negotiation framework. Yermak emphasized that the process would not be limited to bilateral contacts and that coordination with international actors was ongoing. It was also reported that preparations for elevating the diplomatic talks to the leader level remained on the agenda.

It was reported that on 25 and 26 February 2026 a new round of negotiations was planned to take place in Geneva or an alternative European capital. No formal ceasefire or peace agreement was signed between the parties.

Outcomes of the Geneva Talks and Statements by Leaders

The talks conducted in Geneva Switzerland between the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations have concluded. The negotiations were carried out as a continuation of the process aimed at ending the war. No final agreement was announced between the parties but a shared commitment to continue the talks was expressed.

Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Ruslan Umerov stated that another round of negotiations in Geneva had been completed. He noted that work proceeded in two formats: separate meetings with the U.S. side and trilateral talks involving the United States and Switzerland. Following the talks he and the U.S. delegation held a joint telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the outcomes and next steps.

Umerov stated that efforts were focused on finalizing agreed positions on security parameters economic decisions and future arrangements. He emphasized that the goal was to make the next trilateral meeting involving the United States and Russia as comprehensive as possible. It was also agreed that teams would continue working on refining the details of a document concerning future reconstruction and investment plans.

No agreement was reached in the most recent trilateral negotiations between Russia the United States and Ukraine. Vladimir Medinsky Advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin described the talks as “challenging but work-focused.” Umerov assessed the negotiations as “intensive and comprehensive.”

Following the latest talks in Geneva the parties agreed to continue the negotiation process. The next round is planned for early March.