Ukraine and Russia resume talks in Abu Dhabi under US mediation

Ukraine and Russia resumed negotiations in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday under US mediation, with talks set to continue Wednesday, though no breakthrough has been announced. The four-hour session marked the first direct talks between the warring parties since February. The Ukrainian delegation, led by foreign intelligence chief Rustem Umjerow, met with Russian negotiators headed by Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinski. US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner mediated, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the talks "very productive." Agenda items included prisoner exchanges, returning Ukrainian children, and security guarantees. Prior to the trilateral talks, Ukraine consulted with European partners including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, NATO, and the European Commission. The last direct peace talks occurred in Geneva on February 17-18, 2026, with earlier Abu Dhabi meetings in January and early February yielding no political progress.