Tripartite talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US in Abu Dhabi proceed under tense conditions. The Kremlin stresses that lasting peace requires resolving "territorial issues," while Ukraine points to Donbas as the heart of the conflict. Meanwhile, fighting remains intense, with Russian bombings causing civilian deaths.
On 23 January 2026, international news agencies reported that representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and the US met for tripartite talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, amid efforts to push forward ways to end the nearly three-year-long war. The talks took place while fighting in Ukraine remained severe.
Ivan Fedorov, governor of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, revealed that Russian glide bomb attacks in the Komyshuvakha area killed at least one person and injured four others.
Russia stated that three US representatives attended the tripartite talks, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, who held discussions with President Vladimir Putin and two senior Russian aides.
Yuri Ushakov, aide to the Russian president, said after the meeting that the talks were serious, constructive, and straightforward. However, he emphasized that permanent peace is impossible without resolving territorial issues, and until then, Russia will continue pursuing the goals of its special military operation.
He also revealed that President Putin reaffirmed Russia's sincerity in seeking a diplomatic solution but insisted it must follow the territorial formula agreed upon at the Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage, Alaska, last year.
Ukraine sent a high-level delegation to the talks, including Rustem Umerov, chairman of the National Security and Defense Council, and Andriy Honatov, head of the military staff delegation, while Russia's delegation was led by General Igor Kostyukov, director of military intelligence.
Source: BBC / CNBC