Reuters
A second round of negotiations on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict took place in the capital of the UAE on 4-5 February. The meeting was held in a trilateral format with the participation of delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the USA. Parallel to this, negotiations were held on the development of Russian-U.S. military and economic cooperation.
The first round of negotiations in the capital of the UAE took place on 23-24 January. The parties evaluated them positively, but practically no specific statements were made following them.
No breakthroughs were expected from the January negotiations. Nevertheless, the meeting itself was significant. It is important that the parties returned to direct negotiations and that it involved the U.S. side whose decisions largely determine Kiev's position. Therefore, this negotiation format may be the most optimal and effective when it comes to bridging positions and reaching specific agreements.
A second round was announced immediately after the first round of negotiations. It was initially planned to take place in Abu Dhabi on 1 February. However, it was later announced that the meeting had been rescheduled for 4-5 February as the participants needed additional schedule coordination.
Regarding the format of the meeting, it remained unchanged, although Washington had suggested that the participation of U.S. representatives might not be necessary. In the end, however, U.S. President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and businessman Jared Kushner did attend the negotiations.
The delegations from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, as during the first round, are headed by Rustem Umerov, Steve Witkoff, and Igor Kostyukov (from left to right)/ AFP/Getty Images.
The Russian delegation included representatives from the Russian Ministry of Defense led by Igor Kostyukov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
The Ukrainian delegation was also headed by an intelligence officer -the former head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and now Zelenskyy’s chief of staff Kirill Budanov. The group also included representatives from Zelensky’s office, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Main Intelligence Directorate, the National Security and Defense Council and David Arakhamia, the head of the Servant of the People faction in the Verkhovna Rada.
The main result of the consultations was an agreement on the swap of prisoners of war and the decision to resume high-level dialogue between the defense ministries of the Russian Federation and the USA. In general, the parties assessed the negotiations as “truly constructive” noting that there is much work ahead.
What we know about the negotiations in Abu Dhabi
What we know about the negotiations in Abu Dhabi
The first round of negotiations in the capital of the UAE took place on 23-24 January. The parties evaluated them positively, but practically no specific statements were made following them.
The Kremlin noted that the negotiations are quite complex and require a closed format. Kiev stated that after the negotiations, the number of “problematic issues” has decreased, and out of the 20 points in the U.S. plan the Ukrainian side disagrees with two. The USA reported progress on the territorial issue, as well as on an almost finalized “security protocol agreement” and “prosperity agreement”.
No breakthroughs were expected from the January negotiations. Nevertheless, the meeting itself was significant. It is important that the parties returned to direct negotiations and that it involved the U.S. side whose decisions largely determine Kiev's position. Therefore, this negotiation format may be the most optimal and effective when it comes to bridging positions and reaching specific agreements.
A second round was announced immediately after the first round of negotiations. It was initially planned to take place in Abu Dhabi on 1 February. However, it was later announced that the meeting had been rescheduled for 4-5 February as the participants needed additional schedule coordination.
Regarding the format of the meeting, it remained unchanged, although Washington had suggested that the participation of U.S. representatives might not be necessary. In the end, however, U.S. President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and businessman Jared Kushner did attend the negotiations.
The delegations from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, as during the first round, are headed by Rustem Umerov, Steve Witkoff, and Igor Kostyukov (from left to right)/ AFP/Getty Images.
The Russian delegation included representatives from the Russian Ministry of Defense led by Igor Kostyukov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
The Ukrainian delegation was also headed by an intelligence officer -the former head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and now Zelenskyy’s chief of staff Kirill Budanov. The group also included representatives from Zelensky’s office, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Main Intelligence Directorate, the National Security and Defense Council and David Arakhamia, the head of the Servant of the People faction in the Verkhovna Rada.
The first day of the talks
According to a TASS source familiar with the talks, the first day of the meeting on 4 February saw the parties discuss economic aspects, territorial questions, and a ceasefire mechanism. The source noted that the atmosphere at the negotiations in the UAE was more businesslike than at all previous meetings.
A Western source of TASS reported that representatives of several European countries made multiple unsuccessful attempts to join the Ukraine consultations in Abu Dhabi.
Photo courtesy of Reuters
Meanwhile, representatives from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine shared their impressions after the first day.
Russian President’s Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev remarked that the negotiation process is seeing progress and movement forward, despite attempts by “warmongers” to hinder it. He also noted that efforts to restore economic cooperation between Russia and the United States are advancing. “As you know, we are actively working with the Trump administration to restore Russia‑U.S. economic relations, including within the Russian‑American Economic Cooperation Group. We met today, and the meetings are proceeding positively,” he was quoted as saying by TASS.
Commenting on the talks in Abu Dhabi, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked that the list of unresolved issues is shrinking. “The checklist of open items between Ukraine and Russia has been substantially diminished. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the items that remain are the most difficult ones,” Rubio said. According to the diplomat, these difficult issues include territorial matters and security guarantees. Rubio assured that the U.S. would continue to do everything possible to achieve a breakthrough.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov called the 4 February meeting substantive and productive, promising to give assessments after the talks conclude.
Photo courtesy of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Statements following the second day
When assessing the outcomes of the Abu Dhabi talks, it is important to distinguish between agreements on the Russian‑Ukrainian track and those on the Russian‑American track.
A significant outcome on the Russian‑Ukrainian track was an agreement on a prisoner‑of‑war exchange. According to Witkoff, the Russian and Ukrainian delegations agreed to exchange 314 prisoners of war, marking the first such swap in five months.
On 5 February, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that 157 Russian servicemen had been returned from Ukrainian captivity, and 157 Ukrainian soldiers were transferred in exchange. The ministry added that the returned Russian personnel are now in Belarus, where they are receiving necessary medical and psychological assistance.
Overall, according to Witkoff, the Abu Dhabi talks were constructive and focused on establishing conditions for a lasting peace. “Over the two days, the delegations had wide-ranging discussions on the remaining open issues including methods to implement a ceasefire and monitor the cessation of military activities,” Witkoff wrote on the social media platform X.
He also reported that the delegations of the USA, Russia, and Ukraine agreed to report the results of the negotiations to the leadership of their respective countries. The trilateral talks will be continued in the coming weeks.
“While significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate that sustained diplomatic engagement is delivering tangible results and advancing efforts to end the war in Ukraine,” the special envoy said.
Budanov also described the two-day talks in Abu Dhabi as constructive. “The negotiations were genuinely constructive. I am grateful to the USA and the UAE for their quality organization and mediation,” the head of Zelensky’s office said.
Zelensky announced that a new meeting on Ukraine will take place in the near future, again in a trilateral format (Ukraine, the USA, and Russia). He also stated that the next round could be held in the USA.
An important outcome of the negotiations on the Russian-U.S. track was an agreement to resume high-level dialogue between the military departments of Russia and the USA. The United States European Command (EUCOM) noted that the resumption of communication is occurring against the backdrop of progress in peace talks.
“This channel will provide a consistent military-to-military contact as the parties continue to work towards a lasting peace,” the EUCOM statement reads.
In Witkoff’s opinion, the resumption of military dialogue is crucial for achieving and maintaining peace. “The U.S. and Russian Federation agreed to reestablish high level military-to-military dialogue under the leadership of General Alexus G Grynkewich, Commander of U.S. European Command. This channel of communication was suspended just prior to the onset of the conflict and is crucial for achieving and sustaining peace,” Witkoff said.
Representatives of Russia and the USA also discussed issues of economic cooperation in Abu Dhabi. Details are not yet available, but the Russian President’s special representative, Dmitriev, assessed the work in this area in an exclusively positive light.
Photo from the Anadolu Agency archives
“While significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate that sustained diplomatic engagement is delivering tangible results and advancing efforts to end the war in Ukraine,” the special envoy said.
Budanov also described the two-day talks in Abu Dhabi as constructive. “The negotiations were genuinely constructive. I am grateful to the USA and the UAE for their quality organization and mediation,” the head of Zelensky’s office said.
Zelensky announced that a new meeting on Ukraine will take place in the near future, again in a trilateral format (Ukraine, the USA, and Russia). He also stated that the next round could be held in the USA.
An important outcome of the negotiations on the Russian-U.S. track was an agreement to resume high-level dialogue between the military departments of Russia and the USA. The United States European Command (EUCOM) noted that the resumption of communication is occurring against the backdrop of progress in peace talks.
“This channel will provide a consistent military-to-military contact as the parties continue to work towards a lasting peace,” the EUCOM statement reads.
In Witkoff’s opinion, the resumption of military dialogue is crucial for achieving and maintaining peace. “The U.S. and Russian Federation agreed to reestablish high level military-to-military dialogue under the leadership of General Alexus G Grynkewich, Commander of U.S. European Command. This channel of communication was suspended just prior to the onset of the conflict and is crucial for achieving and sustaining peace,” Witkoff said.
Representatives of Russia and the USA also discussed issues of economic cooperation in Abu Dhabi. Details are not yet available, but the Russian President’s special representative, Dmitriev, assessed the work in this area in an exclusively positive light.
Photo from the Anadolu Agency archives
The course of the Abu Dhabi talks was also commented on by the head of the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“Holding the second round of trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States in Abu Dhabi sends positive messages reflecting the parties’ seriousness in advancing diplomatic efforts and their shared commitment to ending the humanitarian suffering,” the minister’s statement reads, as reported by TASS.
He also noted that the two concluded rounds of negotiations on a Ukrainian settlement have laid the groundwork for further advancement of the peace process. “The two rounds of talks held in Abu Dhabi resulted in productive and constructive discussions that highlighted areas of common ground that can serve as a foundation for further progress,” said the diplomat.
There have been no statements from Moscow yet. Comments are expected to follow after the Russian delegation reports on the course of the negotiations. However, the Kremlin had previously stated that consultations should be held behind closed doors. After all, diplomacy, as we know, thrives in silence.
Vita Khanatayeva,
BelTA.
“Holding the second round of trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States in Abu Dhabi sends positive messages reflecting the parties’ seriousness in advancing diplomatic efforts and their shared commitment to ending the humanitarian suffering,” the minister’s statement reads, as reported by TASS.
He also noted that the two concluded rounds of negotiations on a Ukrainian settlement have laid the groundwork for further advancement of the peace process. “The two rounds of talks held in Abu Dhabi resulted in productive and constructive discussions that highlighted areas of common ground that can serve as a foundation for further progress,” said the diplomat.
There have been no statements from Moscow yet. Comments are expected to follow after the Russian delegation reports on the course of the negotiations. However, the Kremlin had previously stated that consultations should be held behind closed doors. After all, diplomacy, as we know, thrives in silence.
Vita Khanatayeva,
BelTA.
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