The Kremlin on Friday said two days of talks with Ukraine, mediated by the United States, were difficult but constructive, and that negotiations aimed at ending the war would continue.
Speaking a day after
the talks concluded in Abu Dhabi, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that both sides engaged in “very difficult work” over the two-day discussions. “For two days there was constructive and very difficult work… they will continue,” he said.
The second round of talks ended on Thursday without any announced breakthrough on key issues. However, Russia and Ukraine carried out a significant exchange of captured soldiers on the same day, a move seen as a rare confidence-building step.
Ukraine, Russia and the United States have all claimed some progress in the negotiations but declined to provide details, stressing that substantial work remains. Kyiv has also indicated that further rounds of talks are planned.
The Abu Dhabi meetings were part of a series of US-mediated, trilateral negotiations involving Russian, Ukrainian and American delegations. Hosted by the UAE, the talks aim to explore ways to bring an end to nearly four years of conflict by addressing key diplomatic and security issues, even as deep disagreements remain over territory and sovereignty. One tangible outcome of the latest round was an agreement to exchange 314 prisoners of war, the first such swap in months, which both sides described as progress toward building trust.
Kyiv, Moscow and Washington have all said there has been some headway, without specifying details, and each stressed that substantial work remains before a lasting settlement is possible. Kyiv has also said further talks are planned. Washington has reiterated its push for an end to the war, even as hostilities continue on the ground.
Later this month will mark four years since Russia launched its full-scale offensive against Ukraine a conflict that has become Europe’s deadliest since World War II.
