25-01-2026

Russia-Ukraine peace talks end without breakthrough

Date: 25-01-2026
Sources: bbc.com: 1 | cbsnews.com: 2 | foxnews.com: 1 | news.sky.com: 1
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Image Source:

Source: foxnews.com

Image content: The image depicts a formal gathering of men seated in two rows facing each other, with flags displayed between them. The main subject or scene shown is a meeting or diplomatic discussion. The people visible are eight men dressed in formal or traditional attire, sitting on cream-colored chairs. The objects visible include several wooden tables, bottles of water, and plants. The location appears to be an indoor setting with large windows and curtains. News-worthy elements or context that can be identified from the image include the presence of flags representing Russia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Ukraine, indicating an international diplomatic meeting. A 2-3 sentence description of what is visible in the image is: Men are seated in two rows facing each other, surrounded by flags and wooden tables. The men are dressed in formal or traditional attire, and the room is decorated with plants and has large windows with curtains. The atmosphere appears formal and diplomatic.

Summary

The first trilateral peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US have concluded in Abu Dhabi without a significant breakthrough, as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the talks were constructive and discussed possible parameters for ending the war, with a potential second meeting scheduled for next week.

Key Points

  • Russia and Ukraine exchanged accusations during the talks, with Russia blaming Ukraine for attacking an ambulance and Ukraine condemning Russia's air strikes on its energy infrastructure.
  • Russia reiterated its demand for Ukraine to abandon territory in the Donbas region as a precondition for a peace agreement.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the fate of Russian-occupied territory is a major sticking point in the way of a ceasefire deal.
  • The talks involved US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and were described as 'productive' and 'constructive' by Washington and Zelensky.
  • A meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Putin is said to be 'very close'.

Articles in this Cluster

Peace talks on Russia-Ukraine war end as fighting rages

The first three-way peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US have ended in Abu Dhabi without a breakthrough, as fighting continues between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the talks focused on possible parameters for ending the war and that a second meeting could be held as early as next week. Russian air strikes targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, killing one person and injuring 35 others. Russia accused Ukraine of attacking an ambulance in Ukrainian territory under its control, killing three medics. The talks were the first trilateral meeting since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The situation on the ground remains dire, with Ukraine's energy infrastructure badly damaged and temperatures plummeting to around -12C in parts of the country.
Entities: Russia, Ukraine, US, Abu Dhabi, Volodymyr ZelenskyTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Russia reiterates demand for Ukraine to abandon territory as first trilateral talks with U.S. begin - CBS News

Russia has reiterated its demand for Ukraine to abandon territory in the Donbas region as a precondition for a peace agreement during the first trilateral talks with U.S. officials in Abu Dhabi. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the fate of Russian-occupied territory is the last issue standing in the way of a ceasefire deal. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the nearly four-year conflict has killed tens of thousands of people. Ukraine, backed by its European partners and NATO, has warned that ceding territory to Russia would embolden Moscow to pursue future attacks. Zelenskyy's administration is seeking a guarantee that the U.S. would intervene if Russia tries to launch another invasion.
Entities: Russia, Ukraine, United States, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr ZelenskyyTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Trilateral peace talks concluded constructively, Ukraine's Zelenskyy says, with more possible next week - CBS News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that trilateral peace talks with Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi concluded constructively, discussing possible parameters for ending the war. The talks, involving U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, marked the first known instance of Trump administration officials meeting with both countries to push for progress in ending Moscow's nearly 4-year-old invasion. While a potential peace deal was said to be nearly ready, sensitive sticking points, particularly territorial issues, remain unresolved. A next round of talks is scheduled for the following week.
Entities: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia, United States, Abu Dhabi, Steve WitkoffTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

US, Russia and Ukraine envoys hold talks in Abu Dhabi on territorial disputes | Fox News

The US, Russia, and Ukraine are holding trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi to discuss territorial disputes that have stalled a peace deal to end the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin are under increasing pressure to reach a deal as the fourth anniversary of Moscow's invasion approaches and US President Donald Trump pushes to end the war. The talks come after Zelenskyy's meeting with Trump in Davos and Putin's meeting with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The key issue is the Donbas region, with Russia demanding Ukraine cede control, while Zelenskyy has opposed making land concessions.
Entities: United States, Russia, Ukraine, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesTone: neutralSentiment: neutralIntent: inform

'Barbaric' attack during Ukraine peace talks but Zelenskyy says negotiations could resume next week | World News | Sky News

Russia launched a 'barbaric' attack on Ukraine's two largest cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv, during peace talks in Abu Dhabi, cutting power to 1.2 million buildings nationwide. Despite this, President Zelenskyy said negotiations could resume as early as next week. The talks were described as 'productive' and 'constructive' by Washington and Zelenskyy, with a positive atmosphere and 'unexpected chemistry' between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. A meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin is said to be 'very close'. The Ukrainian foreign minister condemned the Russian attack, saying Putin's place is 'not at the Board of Peace, but in the dock of the special tribunal'.
Entities: Russia, Ukraine, Abu Dhabi, President Zelenskyy, President PutinTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform