Ukraine–Russia–US Talks Conclude Amid Deadly Airstrike on Kyiv

The two-day trilateral peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and mediator United States concluded on Saturday without any immediate clarity on the outcome or direction of the negotiations.

Further rounds of talks aimed at easing the prolonged Russia–Ukraine conflict are expected to continue in Abu Dhabi next week, news agency AFP reported, citing a source.

The talks ended just hours after Russia launched overnight airstrikes on Kyiv, killing at least one person and injuring four others. The attack also hit the city’s power grid, leaving nearly 1.2 million properties without electricity, according to a Reuters report.

Around 6,000 buildings in Kyiv were left without heating on Saturday morning as temperatures dropped to around minus 10 degrees Celsius.

The trilateral discussions began on Friday, marking the first such meeting between the three sides since the war broke out. During marathon overnight talks, Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a possible Ukraine settlement with envoys of US President Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the Associated Press reported.

Russia reportedly reiterated its position that any peace deal would require Ukraine to withdraw its forces from eastern regions that Moscow has illegally annexed but not fully captured.

Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a potential peace deal was “nearly ready,” speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

UAE on peace talks

A UAE government spokesperson said on Saturday that the Abu Dhabi talks focused on the “outstanding elements” of the US-proposed negotiation framework, Reuters reported.

The spokesperson added that the discussions were held in a constructive and positive atmosphere and involved direct engagement between Russian and Ukrainian officials.

Donbas still unresolved

Russia’s long-standing demand over the Donbas region remains unresolved following the conclusion of the talks. Although Donbas was expected to be a key sticking point, there has been no confirmation on whether the issue was addressed or settled.

Donbas, an eastern Ukrainian region comprising the coal-rich areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, is known for its mineral resources, fertile agricultural land and steel industry, and is linked to the Sea of Azov by rivers.

President Putin’s demand for Donbas has been repeatedly rejected by Zelensky. Speaking at Davos, the Ukrainian leader reiterated that Kyiv would not hand over any part of its territory to Russia.

“It’s all about the eastern part of our country, it’s all about the land,” Zelensky was quoted as saying by CNN.