Abu Dhabi hosts Russia-Ukraine peace talks as US urges European involvement

American diplomats have praised a new round of peace discussions between Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Abu Dhabi, describing the initial session as constructive while calling for European nations to join future dialogues.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the discussions held on Tuesday were "very productive." Speaking in Paris following the opening talks, Rubio urged European governments to take a direct seat at future meetings, arguing that resolving the continent's security disputes requires broader European participation to achieve lasting stability.

The four-hour meeting marked the first direct negotiations between the two sides since February. American representatives Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff helped mediate the discussions alongside senior officials from both belligerents, with negotiations set to continue the following day. NATO's top military commander in Europe, US General Alexus Grynkewich, was also among the participants.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the foreign minister and deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, welcomed the delegations and reiterated his country's commitment to supporting diplomatic channels aimed at ending the war.

Washington is aiming to frame the talks around a wider regional security settlement. Kushner stated at the opening that the American delegation believed it had found potential methods to bridge differences between Moscow and Kyiv, adding that the objective was to design a long-term framework to ensure continental peace.

However, the opposing sides arrived with starkly different priorities. Russian delegates, led by Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, are pushing for talks that address long-term security grievances, including limits on NATO military infrastructure across eastern Europe. A source within the Russian delegation noted that settling the conflict itself was only one facet of Moscow's broader goals.

In contrast, Ukrainian chief negotiator Rustem Umerov stressed that Kyiv’s main objectives are securing an immediate cessation of hostilities and dependable security protections. Kyiv insists on an immediate ceasefire before broader arrangements are considered, while Moscow fears an early halt would allow Ukrainian units time to recover and reorganize.

The parties also remain deeply at odds over territory. Moscow continues to demand that Ukraine abandon control of four regions that Russia claims to have annexed, while Ukrainian officials refuse any territorial concessions. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has suggested Ukraine might eventually have to adjust to modified borders.

The diplomatic engagement took place against the backdrop of sustained violence on the battlefield. Overnight, Ukrainian authorities tracked 162 incoming Russian drones along with a ballistic missile, while Russian officials reported shooting down 155 Ukrainian drones.