Russian and Ukrainian delegates in Abu Dhabi have begun a new round of U.S.-mediated negotiations aimed at ending the war, Russian state media reported Tuesday.
White House special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are once again mediating the talks, which last through Wednesday. Both men have held meetings with officials across Europe and Russia in recent weeks as they engage in a renewed charge of shuttle diplomacy.
Delegates from Russia and Ukraine last met in Geneva in February, though negotiations were temporarily paused following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.
Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinsky, an arch-conservative who previously served as Russia’s culture minister, will again serve as the chief negotiator of the Russian delegation. The team also includes Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, alongside senior military and intelligence officials.
Shortly before Tuesday’s opening session with Russian officials, Ukrainian delegates met with European and NATO representatives. Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, posted a photograph of the sit-down on Telegram, noting that officials gathered to “align our positions and coordinate steps ahead of the next phase of talks.”
The primary focus of this round of negotiations, Umerov wrote, includes a “cessation of hostilities, reliable post-war security guarantees, Ukraine’s economic recovery and development, as well as humanitarian steps.”
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