Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States are due to meet in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday for another round of talks aimed at ending the war.
Russian state media reported that Moscow’s delegation had already arrived in the Emirati capital, though it was unclear whether U.S. and Ukrainian officials had also touched down.
Multiple diplomatic efforts have so far failed to produce a breakthrough in Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
The talks come a day after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone barrage against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, cutting power and heating as temperatures plunged well below freezing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack cast doubt on Russia’s commitment to diplomacy.
The main sticking point in the ongoing negotiations remains the future of territory in eastern Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded that Ukraine withdraw its forces from large parts of the Donbas and is seeking international recognition of territory seized during the invasion.
Ukraine has said any settlement should freeze the conflict along the current front line and has rejected unilateral troop withdrawals.
The talks, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, were postponed from last weekend due to what the Kremlin described as scheduling issues among the three sides.
Ukraine’s delegation will be led by Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov. Russia will be represented by military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov, who has been sanctioned by Western countries over his role in the invasion.
At the previous round of talks in Abu Dhabi last month, the U.S. delegation was led by President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
