US seeks to resume talks on Ukraine in UAE
Washington explores a new diplomatic track, but Moscow sees no basis yet for leader-level negotiations.
The United States wants to restart talks on the war in Ukraine and has named Abu Dhabi as a possible venue for new discussions. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, there is still no agreement and Russia’s conditions remain unclear.
According to Axios, the US administration is working on a new diplomatic effort concerning the war between Russia and Ukraine. One possible first step is talks between technical delegations in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. No date has been announced for such a meeting.
Zelensky told Axios that Washington wants to put three subjects on the table at the same time. They are a temporary ceasefire around energy infrastructure, the reopening of a grain corridor across the Black Sea and a meeting between the United States, Ukraine and Russia.
Ukraine says it is prepared to discuss a truce around energy supplies. According to Zelensky, Kyiv has no objection to different forms of negotiation, as long as the talks can lead to concrete de-escalation. He linked that position to the desire to better protect energy supplies before winter.
The Russian response is more cautious. According to Axios, the Kremlin said that the conditions for resuming peace talks were not yet in place. Moscow also reportedly said there was no prospect for the time being of a high-level meeting. Russia’s position thus stands against American and Ukrainian efforts to reach a limited agreement first.
A separate Reuters report said that, after a meeting with US President Donald Trump in New York, Zelensky said he was open to trilateral talks. At the same time, he denied that Ukraine had agreed to stop its attacks on Russian oil refineries unilaterally.
The proposals therefore do not yet constitute a peace agreement or a formal ceasefire. Technical teams would first have to work out the conditions. As long as it remains unclear whether Russia wants to take part in that process and what security and territorial demands will be put forward, the diplomatic track remains exploratory for the time being.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The United States is exploring talks between technical delegations, possibly in Abu Dhabi.
- The proposed subjects are energy infrastructure, the grain corridor and a trilateral meeting.
- Ukraine says it is prepared to talk; Russia says the conditions are not yet ripe.
- There is no agreement or date for new negotiations.
Left
Arguments A left-wing approach emphasises limiting human suffering and protecting energy supplies and food transport. Negotiations are desirable as long as Ukraine itself is at the table and is not pressured into making territorial concessions.
Values International law, protection of civilians, humanitarian aid and self-determination.
Consequences A limited pause in attacks on energy infrastructure could save lives and build trust, but an agreement reached too quickly could perpetuate an unjust status quo.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach opts for step-by-step talks with verifiable agreements. A truce covering energy and shipping could serve as a practical first test before leaders discuss political end goals.
Values Verifiability, diplomacy, stability and European involvement.
Consequences A phased process can limit escalation, but it takes time and can fail if the parties interpret the agreements differently.
Right
Arguments A right-realist approach warns that negotiating without sufficient pressure could reward Russia for aggression. From this perspective, Ukraine should negotiate from a strong military and economic position.
Values Deterrence, national security, responsibility and consequences for aggression.
Consequences Maintaining pressure could prevent a worse agreement, but may prolong the war and the risks to energy, the economy and security.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article carefully distinguishes between proposals, commitments and responses. Unconfirmed elements such as a date or Russian participation are not presented as facts.
- confirmed Abu Dhabi is mentioned as a possible venue for new talks. — Mentioned in Axios’s report on the American proposals. source
- confirmed The American proposals include an energy truce, the reopening of the grain corridor and trilateral talks. — These three points are described by Axios. source
- confirmed Ukraine says it is prepared to discuss an energy truce. — Attributed to Zelensky by Axios. source
- confirmed According to the Kremlin, Russia sees no basis yet for high-level talks. — Presented as the Russian position according to Axios. source
- confirmed Zelensky denied that Ukraine would unilaterally stop attacks on Russian oil refineries. — Reported by Reuters. source
Editor's note
The American proposals and Ukraine’s willingness to talk, as described by Zelensky, are certain. There is no confirmed date, no agreement and no confirmation that Russia wants to take part in new talks.Sources
- Zelensky: U.S. pushing energy ceasefire, trilateral talks with Russia — Axios
- Zelenskiy says he discussed energy truce, efforts to end Russia war with Trump — Reuters via MarketScreener
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