Abu Dhabi peace talks resume after 9-month pause

Peace talks to halt Russia's aggression against Ukraine resume after a 9-month pause, with meetings scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. The US-initiated process stalled over Russian territorial demands and was interrupted by the US-Israel-Iran war. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will lead the American delegation, while Ukraine's delegation is headed by foreign intelligence chief Rustem Umerov, including top officials Kyrylo Budanov and David Arakhamia. Russia sends Vladimir Medinsky and other senior officials. Talks will focus on security guarantees and post-war arrangements. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed European officials won't participate, contradicting French and EU statements confirming their attendance. Analysts don't expect a breakthrough before spring, as Russia assesses its winter bombing campaign results, though some hope exists for localized ceasefires.