US to Mediate Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi This Month

The United States will facilitate the next round of negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi next week, according to US envoy Steve Witkoff. Washington's role will be to mediate "working-level negotiations" between Kyiv and Moscow, with the objective of "advancing President [Donald] Trump 's mission to end the war". Mr. Witkoff stated in an X post that the discussions will concentrate on "post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace." He also mentioned that US negotiators would convene in Brussels this week with representatives from France, Germany, the UK, the EU, and Nato. These meetings will address "security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe’s post-war security architecture and economic opportunities to support Ukraine’s reconstruction." Mr. Witkoff expressed anticipation for building upon the progress achieved in Kyiv, Oslo, and St Petersburg to reach a "comprehensive, durable peace agreement that delivers lasting security for generations to come." These talks occur during a complex period in US relations with both Ukraine and Russia. President Trump had pledged during his campaign to swiftly end the war, which is now approaching its fifth year. He has met with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Mr. Putin attending a summit with Mr. Trump in Alaska last August. This development follows President Trump's decision to issue a sanctions waiver for Russian diesel amidst a growing global energy crisis. Weeks prior, he had enacted a sanctions regime that increased duties on Russian imports to the US by up to 500%, alongside a separate measure imposing tariffs of up to 100% on China, India, and other major buyers of Russian energy. Mr. Witkoff met with Mr. Putin late last month and characterized him as a "humanitarian". Meanwhile, US relations with Kyiv are currently strained, as President Trump has encouraged Ukrainian leaders to cease attacks on Russian oil facilities. "I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” President Trump remarked to reporters at the White House several weeks ago. However, President Trump did indicate a willingness to invite Mr. Zelenskyy to the upcoming Group of 20 summit in Florida next month.