On January 24, 2026, trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States ended in Abu Dhabi without result, as a Russian airstrike struck Kyiv with horrible brutality several hours prior to it. It was the first time Ukraine and Russia had direct negotiations with US presence since the invasion in 2022, as the two-day meeting, organized by the UAE and mediated by the US, was the first post-invasion direct conversation between the two powers. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the talks were productive the basis of securing the country and a post-war reconstruction was already made, but the main problem of territory the occupation of Donbas has not yet been solved.
The US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with the representatives of Ukrainian military intelligence, Rustem Umerov and Kyrylo Budanov, confronted with the Russian representatives of the military intelligence. Being a newcomer to Davos and holding a phone interview with President Trump, Zelenskyy emphasized that a security agreement and economic assistance plans were almost ready. Like Putin aide Yuri Ushakov, a substantive tone after Kremlin conferences, Moscow would not give up on control over Donbas as alleged terms of an Alaska summit. Both parties have settled to meet once again in the UAE next week, and this was a rare olive branch after four years of carnage.
Kyiv Airstrike Has Long Shadow.
Negotiations ended tragically as missiles and drones of the Russians crashed Kyiv before dawn, killing 12 civilians, injuring 87 and disconnecting entire areas of the capital in sub-zero temperatures. It was struck down by Zelenskyy as Russian terror weakening diplomacy, and hits on residential towers, a maternity ward, and power grids were on the level with the eve-of-talks onslaught that left millions trembling. The Ukrainian air defenses destroyed 70 percent of 120 projectiles but the attack incinerated a historic Orthodox church and winter aid warehouse run by the UN.
The Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba blamed Putin with cynical sabotage that is tied to frozen negotiations. NATO secretary general Mark Rutte encouraged a continuous flow of arms saying that peace cannot just stop overnight with missiles. Trump, who has praised previous Zelenskyy talks as positive, is in the line: his promise to end it fast depends on compromises that will not be easily obtained by each side.
Sticking Points and International Stakes.
The fate of Donbas is in control, with Russia trying to see annexation recognition, and Kyiv demanding complete sovereignty, including occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Witkoff speculated that a single issue could be solved after Davos, but hardline indicators by Ushakov point to trench warfare. UAE negotiators lauded direct involvement on the Washington structure, such as assurance-givers such as prisoner trades (300 released last week).
Europe is studying war: Poland and Baltics are worried that a hurried accord will give the nod to Moscow, cutting aid to Ukraine by 100 billion annually. India, which depends on Black Sea grain (dropped 40 percent since invasion), hopes to have stability to curb food inflation. Markets fell, rubles were down 2 percent, Kyiv index was frozen, and gold shot to $2,680/oz.
Way Forward: Ceasefire or Escalation?
Zelenskyy promises not to sell the territories, taking an interest in the bargaining power of Trump over Putin. The next Abu Dhabi round may open a truce, in case Donbas compromises come forward, such as frozen lines with UN observers. But Kyiv airstrike (47 dead over weekend) burns determination. Warring winter sting at diplomacy–peace by a thread.
