Abu Dhabi Talks Wrap Up: Key Accords Reached and Ukraine’s Peace Prospects Assessed

Multilateral discussions wrapped up in Abu Dhabi, culminating in the initial prisoner liberation of 2026.

Content

1. Harmony remains distant, but advancement is perceptible
2. Zelenskyy disclosed specifics of dialogues in Abu Dhabi
3. What conclusions did the groups reach during the meetings in Abu Dhabi?
4. The Kremlin alleges headway while concurrently issuing a fresh ultimatum
5. Ukraine's stance persists as it was
6. When will the subsequent sequence of discussions materialize?
7. Russia will engage in combat in Ukraine until its aims are fulfilled

The second day of multilateral deliberations involving Ukraine, the United States, and the Russian Federation ended in Abu Dhabi, with the primary outcome being the liberation of captives.

As the Ukrainian representatives journey back, specialists and Western news outlets are dissecting the preliminary accords achieved and the intricate stipulations from each side.

Discover what transpired in private and whether it fostered peace — explore the article on TSN.ua.

Peace is far away, but progress is tangible

The second day of multilateral dialogues between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia concluded in Abu Dhabi on February 5.

US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned the discussions were beneficial and extensive. According to him, the participants were capable of making some headway on crucial matters.

In parallel, he underscored that much remains to be accomplished, yet the outcomes are already evident.

“While extensive work remains, these actions reveal that persistent diplomatic involvement is creating visible outcomes and boosting initiatives to cease the warfare in Ukraine,” Witkoff remarked.

Likewise, the chief of the Presidential Office, Kirill Budanov, characterized the deliberations as productive.

“The discussions were genuinely productive. I extend gratitude to the US and the UAE for the superior arrangement and intercession,” he communicated.

Zelenskyy revealed details of negotiations in Abu Dhabi

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared particulars about the multilateral conversations in the UAE during an interaction with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He conveyed that the groups “conversed about everything” and the information itself was “very sensitive.”

According to his statement, the Ukrainian side will deliver a detailed briefing upon their return, following which he will make a formal declaration to the press.

Zelenskyy had previously stated that a crucial focus of the session was identifying avenues to definitively halt the conflict and assure lasting security commitments.

Concurrently, he firmly highlighted that Ukraine does not desire a superficial illusion of peace, but rather legally secured safety and meaningful leverage against Moscow.

“Our Ukrainian view is remarkably explicit: the conflict must come to a genuine conclusion. Russia must demonstrate its readiness for this. And partners must equally be prepared to ensure this realistically with their concrete assurances — security pledges, their genuine impact upon the instigator,” the president stressed.

What did the parties agree on at the talks in Abu Dhabi?

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff revealed that an outcome of the second day of multilateral discussions involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia was the transfer of 314 detainees – the first such action in the preceding five months.

“Today, representatives from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia consented to trade 314 captives — the first such instance in half a year,” an American authority declared.

According to reports by President Volodymyr Zelensky, the exchange resulted in the return of 157 Ukrainian protectors.

“We are ushering our individuals back home – 157 Ukrainians. Military personnel from the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Service. Soldiers, sergeants, and commissioned officers. Furthermore, civilians are also coming back alongside their defenders. Most have been held since 2022,” the communication specifies.

He additionally emphasized Ukraine's ongoing endeavors to liberate our citizens from imprisonment.

The Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets circulated a visual account of Ukrainian protectors’ return to their homeland across digital platforms. Coincidentally, he highlighted that within this exchange, 18 protectors facing lengthy incarcerations imposed by the Russians were repatriated.

The majority of those freed are enlisted personnel. Furthermore, 16 officers were also liberated from captivity. The most senior freed soldier is 63 years in age, with the youngest being 23 years.

Additionally, amid dialogues in the UAE, the United States and Russia settled on re-establishing direct high-level military communication following a five-year suspension, the Associated Press noted.

The Kremlin claims progress and at the same time issues a new ultimatum

The Russian autocrat's special envoy for investment and financial collaboration, Kirill Dmitriev, asserted with cynicism that some advancement exists in settling the “dispute” with Ukraine.

“We perceive that there is unquestionable advancement. Favorable movement is occurring,” Dmitriev voiced.

He equally boasted about the supposed enhancement of Moscow's ties with Washington. Simultaneously, the Kremlin's pronouncements toward Europe and Britain held firm: they were again cast as “nuisances” incessantly attempting to obstruct the dialogue between both countries and derail it.

Meanwhile, during discussions in Abu Dhabi, the Russians insisted on international recognition of Donbas as their domain, Russian media documented. They further noted that they tackled the parameters of a ceasefire and financial elements.

Ukraine's position remains unchanged

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underlined that Ukraine shall not concede to acknowledging the occupied territories as Russian in exchange for cessation of hostilities.

The Head of State pointed out that the prerogative to determine elements concerning the country's sovereignty rests solely with its sanctioned leadership.

“Firstly, not all will recognize, as stated by my Polish counterpart. Secondly, Ukraine is fortunate to have a president who endorses documents, rather than other leaders endorsing pertinent and crucial documents for Ukraine. Therefore, our lands are unambiguously ours,” the Ukrainian leader conveyed.

At the same juncture, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is presenting a major concession when it aligns with freezing the war on the front line.

“If we bring the front line to a standstill and maintain our ground, this signifies a substantial concession on our side,” he highlighted.

The Ukrainian president added that Russia's demand to forfeit all of Donbas is preposterous.

“To conquer eastern Ukraine, it will impose upon them (the Russians — Ed.) a further 800,000 casualties, the lifeless bodies of their military personnel. It would require them a minimum of two years with exceedingly gradual advancement. My belief is that they will not endure for that extent,” he clarified.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy inserted that enacting a peace pact necessitates concessions from each stakeholder.

“Should we address a [special] economic zone [in Donbas], for illustration, our soldiery will be obliged to withdraw. The Russians should replicate this action. Should we converse about a demilitarized sector, we should oversee our section, they should oversee theirs, but we necessitate an international demarcation force, an international presence among us,” the Ukrainian president accentuated.

When will the next round of negotiations take place?

Corresponding to the Ukrainian president, the ensuing phase of peace talks will occur shortly.

In parallel, he indicated that an accord to conclude the war has not yet taken shape.

“If the siren is activated now, it signifies that no consensus on the end of the war has been achieved. I believe this is transparent to you and me,” Zelensky stated during a conversation with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The President further noted that the operation is underway, but he conveys a desire to observe “swifter results.”

“If there is an upcoming session, then the prospect emerges to prolong the dialogue, which we undoubtedly aspire to witness steer toward a close to the warfare,” he highlighted.

Russia will fight in Ukraine until it achieves its goals

Experts from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) observe that the Kremlin persists in insisting upon realizing its military objectives and dismisses Western security assurances for Ukraine, engendering preconditions for rejecting any accommodating agreements.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova characterized the conceivable presence of Western troops in Ukraine as “categorically unacceptable” and menaced to regard them as legitimate objectives.

She emphasized the imperative to eliminate the “underlying causes” of the strife, which, as per ISW, Moscow intends to mean the disarmament of Ukraine, an alteration in its leadership, and the reversion of NATO to the 1997 confines.

“Kremlin authorities employ ‘underlying causes’ as shorthand for Russia’s demands to reinstate NATO to its 1997 boundaries, annihilate the Ukrainian military, and supplant Ukraine’s incumbent democratically designated government with a pro-Russian regime,” the report specifies.

In unison, Dmitry Peskov verified that the aggression shall persist until Kyiv yields to Russia's “absolutist demands.”

Viktor Medvedchuk expressed a parallel stance, proclaiming that the deployment of overseas forces would steer the negotiations into a “dead end.” State Duma deputies reinforced this pronouncement, again overtly declining any post-war security promises for the Ukrainian side.

Source: tsn.ua