The third round of trilateral peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the US special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner, concluded on Wednesday after nearly two hours of discussions. The negotiations, held a week ahead of the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, focused on both political and military tracks.
The Russian delegation, led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, replaced senior military officials who headed previous rounds in Abu Dhabi, while Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary, led Kyiv’s team. Speaking to Russian journalists, Medinsky described the talks as “difficult, but businesslike,” noting the discussions lasted about two hours and that a “next meeting will take place soon.”
Umerov said the work was “intensive and substantive,” with both political and military issues addressed, including potential security parameters and mechanisms for implementation. While some matters were clarified, others require further coordination. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy added that there has been progress on military issues, particularly monitoring a possible ceasefire, though differences on political matters remain.
