First Russia-Ukraine Talks in Nine Months End Without Breakthrough

Russia and Ukraine concluded two days of U.S.-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi, the first direct negotiations in about nine months, with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner participating. Although U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the talks productive and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described them as constructive, no breakthrough was reported, and the final meeting reportedly lasted less than two hours. Discussions covered prisoner exchanges, the return of detained civilians and children, and postwar security guarantees, but the sides remained far apart on core demands, including Ukraine’s security arrangements. European representatives consulted with Ukraine, while Moscow opposed their participation in the direct talks; Rubio said European countries should be included in the discussions. Fighting and long-range strikes continued, underscoring the obstacles to a settlement.