Putin uses Abu Dhabi talks to stall, not seek peace

Russian President Vladimir Putin is using upcoming US-Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi to buy time and extract concessions rather than pursue genuine peace, according to a new analysis. His stated goal remains establishing political control over Ukraine. President Donald Trump has offered at least six peace proposals since spring 2025, all accepted by Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy but deflected or rejected by Putin. Recent US concessions include resuming Russian diesel shipments, waiving sanctions, and cutting intelligence to Ukraine via Starlink systems. The Kremlin has offered no substantive concessions, only procedural accommodations like the Abu Dhabi meeting. Russia's delegation head Vladimir Medinsky has a history of unsuccessful talks, and Moscow demands former Warsaw Pact states withdraw from NATO, signaling little prospect for real progress.