Ukraine Peace Talks to Resume in Abu Dhabi Amid Ongoing Russian Strikes
ABU DHABI/KYIV — A fresh round of high-stakes peace talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine is set for Wednesday and Thursday in Abu Dhabi, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Sunday. The negotiations come amid a stark backdrop of continued Russian aerial assaults, including a strike on a maternity hospital earlier the same day.
In a post on Telegram, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s negotiating team had confirmed the dates. "We are ready for substantive dialogue and seek a result that brings a real and dignified end to this war," he said. The talks will involve delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, which has been mediating the process.
The announcement follows what U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff described as a "productive and constructive" preliminary meeting in Florida with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Witkoff, posting on X, was joined by senior U.S. officials including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House adviser Josh Gruenbaum. He credited President Trump's leadership in the push for a "durable peace."
However, officials have disclosed little about the substance of the upcoming Abu Dhabi meetings, part of a year-long U.S. diplomatic effort to broker a deal after nearly four years of full-scale conflict. While both sides have in principle agreed to negotiate, fundamental divides remain—primarily over the status of occupied Ukrainian territories, including the eastern Donbas region.
The diplomatic maneuvering unfolds against a relentless rhythm of violence. On Sunday morning, Russian attack drones hit a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia, wounding at least six women, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. Ukraine’s air force reported 90 drones launched overnight, with strikes recorded in multiple regions, including Dnipro where two civilians were killed.
These attacks cast doubt on recent assurances. Last week, President Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to a temporary halt in targeting Kyiv and other cities. The Kremlin confirmed a pause until Sunday but offered no details, leaving independent verification impossible.
Voices from the Public:
"Cautious hope is all we have left. These talks must deliver more than just headlines—they need to stop the bombs hitting hospitals," said Marta Kovalenko, a teacher from Lviv now volunteering in Kharkiv.
"Another round of talks while civilians die? This is theater. Until Russia withdraws, negotiations only legitimize their occupation," argued Dmytro Voloshyn, a veteran and political blogger from Kyiv, his tone sharp with frustration.
"The U.S. involvement is crucial. If Florida talks were productive, maybe Abu Dhabi can build a real framework. We need diplomacy to match military aid," noted Eleanor Shaw, a foreign policy analyst based in Washington D.C.
As delegations prepare to convene in the Gulf, the war’s brutal reality continues to challenge the prospects for a breakthrough, underscoring the fragile line between diplomacy and devastation.