US, Ukraine, and Russia Engage in Trilateral Peace Talks on Ukraine

In a significant diplomatic development, the United States, Ukraine, and Russia are engaging in trilateral peace talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These talks, confirmed by multiple sources, are marked by high-level meetings in Moscow and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), featuring key political figures from all three nations.

Background/Context

The Ukraine conflict, which began with Russia's invasion in 2022, has been a major point of international contention. Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with US envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for marathon overnight talks. These talks were described as constructive and useful by Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Putin.

Putin also stated plans to discuss the use of Russia's frozen assets in the US with Witkoff, an offer that reportedly has been discussed with Washington. These assets could potentially be offered to the Peace Board for the rebuilding of Ukraine, indicating a possible peace plan from the Russian side.

Key Developments

The trilateral peace talks, representing a major step forward in diplomatic relations, are set to take place in Abu Dhabi. This was confirmed after the Moscow talks, marking the first time that the three countries have sat down together since the invasion. Commissioner of the US Federal Acquisition Service, Josh Gruenbaum, and Kremlin aide Dmitriev are among the attendees.

On the sidelines of these discussions, Dmitriev also reportedly met with US envoys in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss the Washington-backed peace plan for Ukraine. This meeting was confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who stated Dmitriev's role was to transmit information regarding the Ukraine peace process back and forth between Moscow and Washington.

Implications and Reactions

These trilateral talks have several implications. Notably, the key issue of the Eastern Ukrainian territory of Donbass is at the center of the talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky identified this as the key issue, while the Kremlin underscored the need for territorial resolution to reach a peace deal.

The US role in these negotiations has been highlighted by US President Donald Trump, who stated that if you don't meet, nothing's going to happen. Reflecting a change in Russia-US relations over the past year, Konstantin Kosachev, a senior Russian legislator, emphasized that US representatives are now participating in these negotiations as equals.

Conclusion

The trilateral peace talks represent a significant development in resolving the Ukraine conflict. The participation of high-ranking officials from the US, Ukraine, and Russia underlines the seriousness of these discussions. As the world watches, the outcome of these talks could potentially redefine international relations and bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, the final resolution and its acceptance, particularly by Ukraine, remain to be seen.