Abu Dhabi (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 06, 2026 - The Kremlin has characterised the latest round of peace talks held in Abu Dhabi as "constructive." Russian negotiators met Ukrainian counterparts and UAE mediators on February 4-5 to discuss ceasefire terms and territorial arrangements. Moscow reported progress on humanitarian corridors and prisoner exchanges during the two-day session.
Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the positive assessment during a Moscow briefing on Friday morning. The talks marked the third round hosted by the United Arab Emirates since President Donald Trump's January 2025 inauguration prioritised diplomatic resolution. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan facilitated the closed-door meetings at Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island conference centre.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba described discussions as "intense but professional," while declining to elaborate on specifics pending coordination with Kyiv. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended alongside Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and military representatives.
Details of the Abu Dhabi Talks Agenda
Delegations addressed immediate ceasefire implementation along current frontlines, prisoner of war exchanges, and grain export guarantees through Black Sea routes. Russian sources confirmed agreement on principles for releasing 1,200 captives from each side by March 1. Talks covered winter energy infrastructure protection and mutual non-aggression zones around Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
UAE mediators proposed confidence-building measures including frozen Russian assets release for reconstruction and NATO membership moratorium for Ukraine until 2035. Sessions ran 10 hours daily, with working groups on security guarantees, economic rehabilitation, and territorial administration.
Peskov noted "mutual understanding emerged on sequencing de-escalation steps," marking first public Kremlin positivity since Istanbul talks collapsed in 2022. No final communique issued, but technical teams scheduled follow-up meetings February 12.
Russian Official Statements and Position
Kremlin Spokesman Peskov told journalists,
"Abu Dhabi round proved constructive atmosphere exists for substantive dialogue. Both sides demonstrated political will to advance peace process."He credited UAE neutrality and Trump's personal involvement via secure video link on day one.
Foreign Ministry statement detailed progress on "humanitarian track," confirming 150 gravely ill prisoners designated for immediate repatriation. Lavrov reported "working document" drafted on Donbas special status within Ukrainian legal framework, pending constitutional ratification.
State Duma International Affairs Committee Chairman Leonid Slutsky echoed assessment, stating talks "exceeded expectations through frank exchange absent in European formats."
Ukrainian Delegation Response and Conditions
Kyiv team leader Dmytro Kuleba held press availability at Boryspil Airport upon return, confirming
"detailed positions exchanged across all tracks."
Ukraine insisted on full territorial restoration as non-negotiable, while agreeing to discuss interim administration for Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions under UN supervision.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on Telegram:
"Abu Dhabi clarified Russian red lines while exposing our leverage points. Diplomacy supplements defence, never replaces it."
Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed accelerated weapons deliveries from U.S. and UK during talks.
UAE Mediation Role and Facilities Provided
Abu Dhabi hosted delegations at Emirates Palace protocol centre with secure communications suites. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed chaired opening plenary, emphasising "UAE commitment to facilitating dialogue between great powers." UAE provided encrypted video links to Moscow, Kyiv, Washington, and Brussels.
Previous rounds yielded July 2025 grain deal extension and December prisoner swap of 450 personnel. UAE foreign ministry reported $500 million reconstruction fund seeded for Mariupol and Kharkiv, administered by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.
U.S. Administration Position and Involvement
White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz briefed reporters:
"President Trump tasked team with testing Russian seriousness. Abu Dhabi feedback positive, next steps depend on Moscow follow-through."
State Department confirmed $2 billion supplemental Ukraine aid package unaffected by talks.
U.S. Ambassador to UAE Richard Mills hosted parallel consultations with Gulf Cooperation Council defence ministers. Congressional Ukraine Caucus Co-Chair Brian Fitzpatrick welcomed "diplomatic off-ramp availability."
European Union and NATO Responses
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen scheduled February 7 videoconference with Zelenskyy and Tusk. Brussels confirmed €50 billion Ukraine Facility payments proceed quarterly through 2027. NATO spokesperson stated "Alliance remains vigilant while supporting diplomatic track."
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy told Parliament: "HMG monitors Abu Dhabi closely; Article 5 commitments ironclad." France's Stéphane Séjourné offered Paris as co-mediation venue for Track II talks.
Previous Rounds and Negotiation History
First Abu Dhabi round (April 2025) established ground rules and humanitarian hotlines. Second round (September 2025) secured 30-day Black Sea moratorium and 300 POWs exchanged. Current round focused implementation timelines and sanctions relief sequencing.
Istanbul process (March-May 2022) collapsed over territorial demands. Jeddah talks (August 2022) yielded no progress. Saudi-hosted Jeddah+ format dormant since 2023.
Technical Working Groups and Outcomes
Security subgroup agreed 20km buffer zones around nuclear facilities and power grids. Economic track initialled memorandum on $10 billion frozen assets transfer for de-mining. Humanitarian group confirmed International Red Cross verification of captive lists.
Maritime security protocols cover Odesa-Kyiv rail links as grain alternative. Energy subgroup mapped winter fuel imports via Turkey and Romania.
International Observers and Guarantees Discussion
China endorsed talks via Beijing embassy statement. Türkiye confirmed monitoring role per Black Sea Initiative. India abstained from comment pending BRICS summit readout.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed "de-escalatory signals." Security Council scheduled February 10 briefing by Special Representative Kofi Annan.
Media Coverage and Domestic Reactions
Russian state television Rossiya-1 aired Lavrov interview praising UAE venue. Ukraine's 1+1 broadcast Kuleba's return. Al Jazeera documented full delegation arrivals at Abu Dhabi International.
Moscow protesters gathered 500 outside Foreign Ministry demanding "peace now." Kyiv Independence Square hosted 2,000 celebrating "diplomacy victory."
Economic Market Reactions
Moscow Exchange RTS Index rose 2.3 percent Friday. Brent crude dipped $1.20/barrel to $78.60. Kyiv PFTS Index gained 1.8 percent. Eurodollar futures priced 25 basis points Fed rate cut probability higher.
Wheat futures declined 4 percent reflecting grain deal prospects. European natural gas TTF hub fell €2/MWh.
Broader Geopolitical Context
Talks coincide with Trump-Macron summit preparation in Deauville (February 14). U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds confirmation hearing for new Ukraine envoy February 9. NATO Defence Ministers meet in Brussels February 11.
Syria stabilisation conference in Damascus (February 8) invites Russian-Ukrainian observers. G20 Finance Ministers address sanctions architecture February 22.
Follow-up Mechanisms Established
Technical teams reconvene Abu Dhabi February 12-14. Ministerial principals target Doha February 20. Heads-of-delegation summit provisionally March 1, venue TBD.
Hotline protocol activates between military chiefs-of-staff. Confidence-building measure verification entrusted to OSCE special monitors.
Prisoner Exchange Implementation Timeline
First 150 captives cross via Kovel-Dorohusk February 10. Second tranche (450 total) completes February 28. ICRC accompanies all transfers with medical teams. DNA verification protocols confirmed for remains exchange.
Family reunification centres open Lviv and Rostov-on-Don February 8.