Ukraine, Russia and US Meet in Abu Dhabi as Missile Strikes Undermine Peace Talks

Ukraine, Russia and the United States were due to hold talks in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, as fresh Russian drone and missile attacks battered Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, casting doubt over the chances of diplomatic progress.

The negotiations aim to find a path toward ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Previous rounds of talks have failed to produce a breakthrough.

Ahead of the meeting, Russia launched a large-scale barrage targeting Ukraine’s power grid, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity and heating during sub-zero temperatures. The strikes threatened to overshadow discussions in the Emirati capital.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attacks showed Moscow had not changed its approach. “Russia continues to bet on war and destruction and does not take diplomacy seriously,” he said, adding that Ukraine’s negotiating strategy would be adjusted accordingly.

The core dispute remains territory in eastern Ukraine. Moscow is demanding Kyiv withdraw troops from large parts of the Donbas and wants international recognition of areas seized during the invasion. Ukraine has rejected those conditions, calling instead for the conflict to be frozen along the current front line.

The talks, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday after a weekend delay, bring together senior negotiators from all three sides. Ukraine’s delegation is led by Security Council chief Rustem Umerov, while Russia is represented by military intelligence head Igor Kostyukov. The US previously sent President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff.

Russia currently occupies about 20 percent of Ukraine and has warned it could seize the rest of the Donetsk region if negotiations collapse. Kyiv argues that conceding land would encourage future aggression and insists any deal must prevent renewed invasion.

Despite heavy losses, Russian forces have made incremental gains, while Ukraine continues to push Western allies for increased military and economic support. Public opinion in Ukraine remains strongly opposed to any agreement that trades territory for peace.

Many Ukrainians remain skeptical of the talks. “We must prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” said Petro, a resident of Kyiv.