US and Europe seek roles as Ukraine-Russia talks begin in Abu Dhabi

New peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia begin Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, mediated by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with the US hoping Russia will show greater willingness to compromise after sanctions were eased. The talks, lasting two days, will focus on de-escalation, humanitarian issues, and post-war security arrangements, with no direct contact between the delegations. Russia has opposed European participation, but France announced it will send a delegation to ensure Europe's voice is heard. Russia demands resolution of what Putin calls the war's root causes before peace talks, and has ordered forces to take all of Donetsk by year-end. Ukraine's Zelenskyy expressed concern about any agreement made without full Ukrainian involvement, comparing it to the Yalta Conference.