The key facts
- Witkoff and Kushner want to identify issues requiring decisions at the highest level
- For two weeks there were daily contacts with Russian and Ukrainian officials
- Lavrov supported discussing collective security but “has no illusions”
The goal of the talks is concrete decisions, not a deal
American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the meeting in Abu Dhabi are seeking substantial progress toward a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Their main task is to outline the concrete decisions that Moscow and Kyiv must make to end the conflict. A US administration official told Axios about this: “This is an attempt to achieve significant progress toward a deal and to overcome differences.” According to the official, the negotiators intend to determine which issues require political decisions at the highest level, but it is still premature to speak of agreed settlement terms.
Preparation and possible continuation
Intensive contacts preceded the preparation of this round: for two weeks, Washington's representatives held daily calls with Russian and Ukrainian officials. The talks in the UAE may become only the first stage of a new series of meetings — after the consultations, Witkoff and Kushner are considering a trip to Moscow and then to Kyiv; the final decision on the visits depends on the outcome of the current round.
Moscow's position
Sergey Lavrov supported the US initiative to discuss collective security issues in Abu Dhabi. According to him, the matter concerns developing guarantees for Moscow, Kyiv, and the entire region, which should take effect after the conclusion of a comprehensive peace agreement. At the same time, the minister emphasized that the Russian side has no illusions about Washington's intentions, but considers continuing the dialogue necessary.
