In a significant diplomatic engagement, Ukraine, Russia, and the United States convened in Abu Dhabi for trilateral talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This meeting, occurring in March 2025, marks another step in a series of efforts to achieve lasting peace.
Recent Diplomatic Efforts
The history of talks surrounding the Ukraine conflict is extensive. Here are some pivotal moments leading up to the Abu Dhabi discussions:
Riyadh: Naval Ceasefire Agreement
- Date: March 2025
- Outcome: Ukraine and Russia reached a naval ceasefire agreement in the Black Sea, facilitated by the US.
Istanbul: Prisoner Exchange Agreement
- Date: May 2025
- Outcome: Both nations agreed to a prisoner swap of 1,000 prisoners of war each, marking their first face-to-face talks since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
Anchorage: 2018 Meeting Resumed
- Date: August 2025
- Outcome: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met in Alaska. Although they shook hands, little progress was made towards peace discussions.
Geneva: US-Backed Peace Plan
- Date: November 2025
- Outcome: American and Ukrainian negotiators discussed a 28-point peace plan. An updated version was created after criticism of the initial draft favoring Russia.
Moscow: Stalled Negotiations
- Date: December 2025
- Outcome: Five hours of discussions between Putin and Trump’s negotiator did not yield a breakthrough due to disagreements over key territorial issues.
Berlin: NATO Security Guarantees
- Date: December 2025
- Outcome: A meeting with European officials led US representatives to offer NATO-like security guarantees to Ukraine, with President Zelensky signaling potential compromises on NATO ambitions.
Miami: Aligning Positions
- Date: December 2025
- Outcome: US and Ukrainian negotiators worked to align their positions on a 20-point peace initiative, while also engaging with Russian representatives.
Mar-a-Lago: Nearing the Finish Line
- Date: December 2025
- Outcome: Zelensky met Trump in Florida, stating that discussions on a revised peace plan were nearly complete.
Davos: Final Mile Declaration
- Date: January 2026
- Outcome: Zelensky announced that peace talks reached a critical stage, affirming agreements on post-war security guarantees with Trump.
The recent trilateral discussions in Abu Dhabi serve to underline the urgency of finding a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, reflecting the ongoing international efforts to facilitate peace. The dialogue continues to evolve as each meeting brings new hopes and challenges.
