US Brokers High-Stakes Ukraine Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi as Trump Administration Seeks Deal
Summary
Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine have intensified as US, Russian, and Ukrainian officials convened in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. These high-level discussions mark the latest major push by the Trump administration to broker a definitive peace deal. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt expressed optimism, stating that “tremendous progress” has been made, though she acknowledged that several “delicate, but not insurmountable, details” still require resolution.
Ukrainian officials have echoed this cautious optimism. Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s security council, indicated that delegations reached a common understanding on core terms following preliminary talks in Geneva. However, significant hurdles remain. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer clarified that the current draft does not yet resolve the contentious issue of territorial concessions. The original 28-point US proposal, which reportedly involved Ukraine ceding occupied territory and limiting its army size, faced initial backlash, leading Washington to characterize it as merely an opening point for discussion.
The backdrop to these negotiations is a stark contrast between diplomatic dialogue and ongoing violence. While officials debated terms in the Gulf, Russian forces launched a massive barrage of 22 missiles and 464 drones targeting Kyiv, resulting in seven deaths. President Zelenskyy emphasized that military pressure on Russia must continue alongside diplomatic efforts to ensure Kyiv does not lose its “dignity or a key ally.”
Meanwhile, European leaders are navigating a shifting landscape as the US takes the lead. French President Emmanuel Macron warned against any deal that amounts to Ukrainian “capitulation,” while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov insisted any agreement must reflect previous high-level discussions between Trump and Putin. As US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll continues talks, the world watches to see if a framework can be found that ends the fighting without sacrificing Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/25/us-kyiv-and-moscow-officials-continue-talks-on-trump-plan-to-end-ukraine-war