Ukraine Peace Talks Intensify with US Involvement, Focus on Donbas Region
Negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are underway in Abu Dhabi, signaling a potential shift in the nearly four-year conflict, with the future of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region taking center stage.
The trilateral discussions follow overnight talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and envoys from U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring a renewed push for a diplomatic resolution. According to sources, the Kremlin maintains that any peace agreement hinges on Ukraine’s withdrawal of troops from areas in the east that Russia has illegally annexed, though not fully captured.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, has proposed an alternative path forward, reiterating his willingness to establish a free trade zone within Ukraine’s control in the eastern part of the country. He shared this proposal with Trump during a meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, stating, “I think it will be positive for our business.”
Friday marks the first confirmed instance of simultaneous negotiations between Trump administration officials and representatives from both Ukraine and Russia. While the outcome remains uncertain and significant obstacles persist, observers suggest this convergence indicates progress toward a potential deal.
Zelenskyy reported to journalists after his Thursday meeting with Trump in Davos that peace proposals are “nearly ready,” despite the unresolved status of land currently occupied by Russia in eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin characterized the discussions as a “working group on security issues,” offering limited specifics.
Kremlin Demands Territorial Resolution
“Today’s meeting will be in the format of Ukraine, Russia and the United States, and afterward the Europeans will certainly receive feedback from us,” Zelenskyy conveyed in a WhatsApp audio message. A Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that the Russian delegation, led by Admiral Kostyukov, comprises military officials and that the talks could extend into Saturday “if necessary.”
Separately, Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev is scheduled to meet with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss economic matters. Kremlin foreign affairs advisor Yuri Ushakov, who participated in Putin’s discussions with Trump’s envoys Jared Kushner and Witkoff, emphasized that “reaching a long-term settlement can’t be expected without solving the territorial issue.” These overnight talks, which began shortly before midnight in Moscow, lasted nearly four hours, extending past 3 a.m. Friday.
The U.S. push for a peace settlement comes after Zelenskyy publicly criticized European allies on Thursday for what he described as a slow and fragmented response, leaving Ukraine vulnerable to Putin’s actions. Ushakov noted that Trump’s envoys briefed Putin on their meeting with Zelenskyy and earlier conversations with Ukrainian and European officials, characterizing the discussions as “frank, constructive” and “fruitful.”
Witkoff and Kushner were joined by Josh Gruenbaum, a senior advisor on Trump’s Board of Peace, to which Russia has been invited. Putin reportedly offered to contribute $1 billion from Russian assets frozen in the U.S. to fund rebuilding Gaza, a proposal Trump deemed acceptable, stating, “If he’s using his money, that’s great.”
Trump and Zelenskyy Discuss Path Forward
During their hour-long meeting behind closed doors at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelenskyy described his conversation with Trump as “productive and meaningful.” Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route back to Washington, affirmed the meeting’s success, adding that both Putin and Zelenskyy are motivated to reach an agreement and that “everyone’s making concessions.” He acknowledged that the primary sticking points remain consistent with those of the past six to seven months, with “boundaries” being a key issue. “The main hold-up is the same things that’s been holding it up for the last year,” he said.
Since the start of hostilities in 2014, and particularly following the full-scale invasion of 2022, Russia has captured approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory. However, these battlefield gains along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line have come at a significant cost to Moscow, impacting the Russian economy due to the war and international sanctions.
Ukraine faces financial constraints and, despite increasing its domestic arms production, remains reliant on Western weaponry. The country is also experiencing personnel shortages, with its defense minister reporting approximately 200,000 troop desertions and an estimated 2 million Ukrainians evading the draft.
Zelenskyy Voices Frustration with European Response
Addressing the World Economic Forum after meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy openly expressed grievances with Europe, criticizing its response as slow and fragmented. While European nations have provided financial, military, and humanitarian aid to Kyiv, support is not universal across the 27-nation European Union. Ukraine is also frustrated by political divisions within Europe regarding Russia and the bloc’s often-delayed responses.
“Europe looks lost,” Zelenskyy declared, urging the continent to assert itself as a global force. He contrasted Europe’s actions with what he characterized as Washington’s decisive interventions in Venezuela and Iran. Referencing the film “Groundhog Day,” Zelenskyy lamented the cyclical nature of his appeals, stating, “Just last year, here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words: Europe needs to know how to defend itself. A year has passed. And nothing has changed. We are still in a situation where I must say the same words again.” He criticized Europe for its slow decision-making, insufficient defense spending, failure to curb Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, and reluctance to utilize frozen assets to finance Ukraine.
