Russia, Ukraine, and US open talks in Abu Dhabi

Trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States began Tuesday in Abu Dhabi after a nine-month pause, with Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky thanking hosts and US counterparts for their peace efforts. The closed-door meeting focuses on security guarantees for both sides post-conflict. Russian delegation includes deputy foreign ministers and military intelligence chief Igor Kostiukov, while Ukraine's team is led by foreign intelligence chief Rustem Umerov, following prior consultations with European allies. Previous trilateral rounds yielded only prisoner exchanges and remains transfers. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed cautious hope that the Trump administration, unlike Biden's, would engage on collective security guarantees, referencing Moscow's 2021 ultimatum demanding NATO withdrawal from Eastern Europe.