Delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States ended two days of historic talks in Abu Dhabi without any breakthrough. This marked the first three-party summit since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, even as violence flared across front lines.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted at another meeting next week. A U.S. official confirmed the next round begins on 1 February in Abu Dhabi.
Russian airstrikes hammered Ukraine’s battered energy grid during the talks, killing one civilian and injuring 35, according to Kyiv officials. Moscow accused Ukraine of downing an ambulance in its controlled territory, killing three medics, and launching missiles at Belgorod power sites.
Reports from both sides remain unverified independently.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported one death and four wounded from Friday strikes, with 6,000 buildings left without heat in -12°C cold. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said 31 were hurt, including damage to a maternity hospital and refugee shelter. Zelenskyy called energy infrastructure Russia’s main target.
“The central focus of the discussions was the possible parameters for ending the war,” Zelenskyy posted on X.
“I highly value the understanding of the need for American monitoring and oversight of the process of ending the war and ensuring genuine security.”
Sides agreed to consult capitals. “We’ve agreed that the next round begins next Sunday in Abu Dhabi again,” said an unnamed U.S. official, deeming it a “good sign” after a lot of work.
Russia’s RIA Novosti said Moscow welcomes further dialogue.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha branded the strikes “brutal” and “cynically” ordered by Vladimir Putin, proving “Putin’s place is not at the board of peace, but at the dock of the special tribunal.”
Moscow called a Kherson ambulance drone strike a “barbaric crime.”
“We emphasise that attacks on civilian medical transport are prohibited by international humanitarian law,” said spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Belgorod faced Ukraine’s heaviest barrage yet, damaging energy facilities without casualties.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Putin beforehand. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov noted Putin’s push for diplomacy but stressed territorial terms from last August’s Anchorage summit, letting Russia keep Donbas and Crimea. Zelenskyy rules out concessions on the 20% of Ukraine now occupied.
In Davos, Zelenskyy said “It’s all about the land. This is the issue which is not solved yet,” with U.S. security pledges pending approval. President Donald Trump claimed Putin joined his global peace board, unconfirmed by Moscow.