Representatives of the United States, Ukraine and European partners met in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday to coordinate their positions ahead of US-mediated talks with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine. Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and envoy, announced the meeting.
In a statement posted on X, Kushner said the participants continued their close coordination on efforts to end the war, including strong security guarantees that would form part of any future settlement. They emphasized that any agreement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independent decision-making, and must provide credible security guarantees.
Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said the day began with a meeting between the Ukrainian team, US envoys Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission.
Trilateral talks between Ukraine and Russia then opened, with Kushner and Witkoff at the head of the table. It is the first such round since February, when talks in Geneva ended without a breakthrough. US-led diplomacy largely stalled after the war with Iran began. The talks are scheduled to run through Wednesday.
As the session opened, Kushner said the goal was not only to end the war but also “to create the right security relationships between Ukraine and Russia and Europe” and build a new framework that would secure “decades, if not centuries, of peace.” Last week he outlined a broader European security plan that includes permanent security consultations, crisis communication channels and greater military transparency. He stressed that NATO would remain central to Europe’s defense.
Umerov said Kyiv’s priority is securing a ceasefire and discussing security guarantees. Russia’s delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, who said he hoped the meeting would advance “the path towards peace.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted the talks would remain strictly trilateral, and Moscow has made clear it does not want European officials at the negotiating table.
Speaking in Washington, Trump said “a very good conversation” was taking place in Abu Dhabi. In recent weeks, Kushner and Witkoff have held separate meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Expectations remain low, however. The two sides are still far apart on territory, and Russia occupies roughly 20 percent of Ukraine.
