Two days of talks related to the war in Ukraine have concluded in the United Arab Emirates, with officials confirming that Russia and Ukraine held direct contacts during the meetings. The UAE authorities said the atmosphere of the discussions was “constructive and positive,” but no concrete agreements or joint statements were announced at the end of the talks, DKNews.kz reports.
Direct dialogue, but no public outcomes
A spokesperson for the UAE government confirmed that direct contacts took place between the two sides as part of the negotiations. However, the meetings were held behind closed doors, and no final documents were made public. This suggests that the current stage was focused on clarifying positions and exploring possible avenues for further dialogue rather than reaching immediate agreements.
Analysts note that such a format can help reduce political pressure and keep channels of communication open at a sensitive moment.
Who took part in the talks
The level of participation underscored the importance of the meetings. Those involved included US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Igor Kostyukov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, as well as other senior Russian and Ukrainian officials.
The presence of such high-ranking figures indicates that the discussions went beyond technical issues and touched on broader political and military considerations.
What was discussed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X that military representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the United States took part in the talks. According to him, the main focus was on “possible parameters for ending the armed conflict.”
Neither side has disclosed details about specific scenarios or proposals discussed, leaving the substance of the talks largely undisclosed.
Ryan Carter/UAE Presidential Court/REUTERS
Talks held amid ongoing fighting
Notably, the meetings in the UAE took place against the backdrop of continued hostilities in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said that during the talks, Russian forces carried out large-scale drone and missile strikes on several regions, including Kyiv.
This contrast highlights the fragility of the diplomatic process, with negotiations and active combat unfolding simultaneously.
The UAE as a new platform for dialogue
Earlier, the UAE authorities said the meeting was part of diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue and explore political solutions to the Ukrainian crisis. On January 23, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with the heads of the participating delegations and reaffirmed the country’s support for all initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict and promoting peace and global stability.
According to media reports, further trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States may take place in the UAE as early as next week.
Why this matters
Even without formal outcomes, the fact that Russia and Ukraine engaged in direct contacts is seen as a rare and significant development. In a prolonged conflict, such interactions can lay the groundwork for future agreements.
It is too early to speak of a breakthrough. However, the UAE appears to be increasingly positioning itself as a neutral venue where the sides are at least willing to talk. In the current circumstances, maintaining dialogue itself is already an important signal.
