Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for their first US-brokered talks since February, after President Donald Trump suggested last week that a broad deal was possible on ending the war in Ukraine and guaranteeing security in Europe.
US envoy Jared Kushner told delegates that recent contacts with both sides had “really identified, narrowed the gaps”, and that Trump was committed to achieving peace.
“He really has asked us to put extra effort into trying to find a solution that hopefully ends the war but also leaves both sides in a much stronger position to start pursuing the full potential of what their two amazing countries have the ability to reach,” Kushner said at the start of the meeting.
But more than four and a half years after Russia’s military operation on Ukraine, and with Russian forces holding about a fifth of the country, Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart – despite Trump’s optimism – in terms of a possible settlement.
Ukraine’s chief delegate, Rustem Umerov, said in his opening remarks that Kyiv was focused on achieving security guarantees and a lasting peace.
Russian delegation chief Vladimir Medinsky said Moscow hoped for progress towards peace in the interest of the peoples of both countries.
