Senior Ukrainian and Russian officials are meeting in Abu Dhabi for a second round of talks aimed at ending the war, but expectations of a breakthrough remain low as both sides continue to hold sharply different positions on territory, security guarantees and military limits.
The discussions follow a similar format to talks held last month, with delegations from Kyiv and Moscow joined by US representatives. The meetings are being facilitated by the United States, which has stepped up diplomatic efforts in recent weeks amid pressure from President Donald Trump to show progress toward a settlement.
While Washington has expressed optimism about the possibility of a deal, officials in both Ukraine and Russia have signalled that core disagreements remain unresolved.
How close are the sides to a peace agreement?
At the centre of the talks is the question of territory. Russia continues to insist that Ukraine cede the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, including areas that remain under Ukrainian control. Ukrainian officials have rejected this demand, saying it would undermine the country’s sovereignty and security.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that negotiations are effectively focused on land, describing it as the most contentious issue. American officials have pressed Kyiv to consider territorial concessions, linking the prospect of long-term security guarantees to Ukraine’s willingness to compromise.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated some flexibility in principle, including the possibility of withdrawing Ukrainian forces from certain eastern areas or establishing a demilitarised zone, but has ruled out formally relinquishing territory.
Even if a territorial compromise were reached, significant obstacles would remain. Russia has said it would not accept the presence of European troops in Ukraine, while Kyiv views international forces as essential to deter future attacks. Moscow has also demanded limits on the size of Ukraine’s armed forces, a condition Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly rejected.
Military developments continue despite diplomacy
The talks come against a backdrop of ongoing fighting. Russian forces resumed airstrikes on Kyiv days after President Trump said Vladimir Putin had agreed to a temporary pause in attacks due to severe winter conditions.
Both Kyiv and Moscow have sought to present themselves as open to negotiations while blaming the other side for the lack of progress, a dynamic observers say reflects efforts to avoid alienating Washington.
Who is attending the talks?
Ukraine’s delegation includes senior figures involved in both military and political decision-making. Russia is represented by high-ranking intelligence and government officials, including the head of its military intelligence service and a Kremlin-appointed envoy.
From the US side, special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner are expected to attend. Their role in recent diplomatic initiatives has drawn scrutiny, with critics pointing to their limited formal diplomatic backgrounds.
There is no confirmed timeline for a direct meeting between President Zelenskyy and President Putin. Zelenskyy has said he is willing to meet on neutral ground, while the Kremlin has stated that Putin would only consider talks if Zelenskyy travelled to Moscow.
Public sentiment in Ukraine and Russia
In Ukraine, war fatigue is growing after years of fighting, infrastructure damage and civilian hardship. While support for peace talks is widespread, surveys indicate strong opposition to surrendering the entire Donbas region, with many fearing that such concessions would fail to deliver lasting security.
In Russia, gauging public opinion is more difficult due to restrictions on dissent. Limited independent polling suggests rising support for negotiations, but little appetite for territorial compromise, reflecting official government positions.
What happens if talks fail?
Russian officials have argued that Moscow is in a position to continue the war and has signalled little urgency to compromise. Ukraine, meanwhile, faces mounting challenges in sustaining troop numbers and securing long-term military support, particularly as European defence production struggles to expand quickly.
Russia is also under pressure, with sanctions affecting its economy and declining revenues from energy exports. Despite these strains, neither side has indicated a willingness to make the concessions necessary for a comprehensive peace agreement.
Until one side alters its position or external pressure reshapes the talks, the conflict is expected to continue.
When and where
The second round of Ukraine – Russia talks began in Abu Dhabi on 4 February 2026, following negotiations brokered by the United States, with reporting based on information published on the same day.
