US, Russia, and Ukraine: Key Discussions in the Emirates

Ukrainian, American, and Russian officials are set to gather this Friday in the United Arab Emirates for crucial security talks, following a high-level meeting between American negotiators and President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The discussions will focus on a U.S. plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, as diplomatic efforts intensify despite ongoing disagreements, particularly regarding territorial issues.

American envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin late Thursday evening, a meeting described as productive by Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov. The two sides will continue negotiations in Abu Dhabi, where Russian military intelligence chief General Igor Kostyukov will join them.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that a draft peace agreement is "almost ready," with security guarantees provided by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. Russia, which occupies about 20% of Ukraine, demands full control over the Donbas region, but Kyiv warns that any territorial concession could encourage further attacks and rejects agreements that would not deter Moscow.

Zelensky has also criticized the fragmented response from Europe and its dependence on the United States, labeling the EU as politically weak and divided. Additionally, recent Russian strikes have left much of Kyiv in darkness during freezing temperatures, targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure—an action that Kyiv condemns as a war crime aimed at breaking civilian morale.

The upcoming talks in the United Arab Emirates could represent a significant step forward, but their outcome remains uncertain.