Abu Dhabi Talks Link Ukraine War to Europe's Security Future

The first day of talks in Abu Dhabi did not proceed as a single negotiation with all parties, but rather as successive and parallel diplomatic contacts in different formats. Ukraine and European officials coordinated with the US delegation on post-war security guarantees, followed by a trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine, and the US on ending the war. Europeans participated in preparatory consultations but did not sit at the same table as the Russian delegation, as Moscow insists direct negotiations remain trilateral. The US is attempting to broaden the agenda by linking Ukraine's future to a wider European security framework, with discussions covering humanitarian issues, prisoner exchanges, and security guarantees, though no agreement was announced on a ceasefire or territorial compromise. The US delegation was led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while Russia sent Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, and Ukraine was represented by Rustem Umerov. Washington seeks to connect the peace settlement with a broader Russia-Europe agreement, though whether this will be part of the final Ukraine deal or follow later remains open.