Russia confirmed on Monday that the upcoming trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi, aimed at ending the four-year-long war, have been postponed to Wednesday and Thursday instead of the previously scheduled date of Sunday. This postponement is intended to ensure better coordination among the parties involved in this important diplomatic event.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained the reason for the postponement to reporters: “The round was scheduled to take place as previously planned, but additional coordination of the three parties’ schedules became necessary to ensure the talks proceed effectively.” He added, confirming: “Now, we can confirm that the second round will be held on Wednesday and Thursday in Abu Dhabi.”.
Ukrainian assertions and the context of the conflict
For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday his country's commitment to attending the trilateral talks in the UAE capital on the rescheduled date. This second round follows the first, held on January 23 and 24, which failed to produce a tangible diplomatic breakthrough, thus raising expectations and increasing pressure on the current round to achieve real progress.
These talks are of exceptional importance as they come less than two weeks before the fourth anniversary of Moscow's large-scale military offensive against Ukraine in February 2022. This conflict, the largest in Europe since World War II, has caused immense human suffering and the displacement of millions, as well as widespread destruction of infrastructure in eastern and southern Ukraine. The conflict has also cast a long shadow over the global economy, triggering energy and food crises that have affected countries around the world.
The pivotal role of the UAE and the parallel Miami track
The choice of Abu Dhabi as the venue for these talks underscores the growing diplomatic role of the United Arab Emirates as a credible international mediator capable of bringing conflicting parties to the table, in an effort to bolster international security and stability. The difficult negotiations are expected to focus on the sensitive issue of territory and future security arrangements, given the lack of clear indications so far of the shape of a final settlement.
Alongside the diplomatic efforts in Abu Dhabi, reports revealed further diplomatic activity in the United States, where Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev held new talks with American officials in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. Both sides described the talks as "constructive.".
US envoy Steve Wittkopf explained that the American delegation in Miami included prominent figures, among them Treasury Secretary Scott Bisent, Jared Kushner (President Donald Trump's son-in-law), and White House advisor Josh Greenbaum. While precise details of the Miami talks were not disclosed, these simultaneous moves indicate a strong push from Washington to end the war and halt the years-long drain on human and material resources.
