Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his office in Kyiv, Ukraine, 5 February 2026. Photo: Zelensky / Telegram
A third round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US and Russia might take place on US soil, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday evening, following the completion of the second round of talks in Abu Dhabi.
In his nightly address to the nation, Zelensky said Kyiv was “ready for all workable formats that can genuinely bring peace closer and make it reliable, lasting, and such that deprives Russia of any appetite to continue the war”.
He added that it was “crucial that this war ends in a way that leaves Russia with no reward for its aggression”, calling it “one of the key principles” that could “restore and guarantee real security”.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed the parties would continue their talks in the weeks ahead and framed the second round of trilateral discussions in Abu Dhabi as “constructive and focused on how to create the conditions for a durable peace”.
“Over the two days, the delegations had wide-ranging discussions on the remaining open issues including methods to implement a ceasefire and monitor the cessation of military activities,” Witkoff said.
Kyrylo Budanov, Zelensky’s recently appointed chief of staff, described the talks as “really constructive”, despite the fact that no tangible progress has been announced as both Moscow and Kyiv appear unwilling to make any concessions in their negotiating positions.
Delegations from Moscow and Kyiv first met under US mediation in Abu Dhabi in late January to discuss the White House’s 20-point plan to end the almost four-year-old war, part of US President Donald Trump’s drive to reach a peace deal for a war he claimed last year he could “end within 24 hours”.
