Abu Dhabi / Kyiv — U.S.-brokered peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi concluded on Saturday without reaching an agreement, even as a major Russian missile and drone assault struck Ukrainian cities during the talks, Ukrainian officials said.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of “cynically” ordering the strikes while delegations were engaged in peace talks in the United Arab Emirates, saying the attack “once again proves that Putin’s place is not at the board of peace, but at the dock of the special tribunal.”
The diplomatic session in Abu Dhabi, involving Ukraine, Russia and U.S. representatives, focused on negotiating parameters for ending the nearly four-year war triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, no ceasefire or formal peace agreement was announced by the end of the second day’s discussions.
While talks were underway, Russia launched a large wave of drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian population centres and critical infrastructure, including Kyiv and Kharkiv, according to Ukrainian authorities and independent reporting.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia deployed at least hundreds of drones and missiles in the overnight assault, hitting energy infrastructure and knocking out power and heat for large parts of the capital during freezing winter conditions. At least one civilian was killed and dozens were injured in the strikes, multiple international news outlets reported.
The timing of the bombardment, coinciding with peace negotiations, drew sharp condemnation from Kyiv and its Western allies. Ukrainian officials said the bombardment was aimed at undermining negotiations and intimidating negotiators.
Despite the violence, all three sides described the atmosphere of talks as respectful and constructive. According to U.S. officials, discussions covered confidence-building measures and possible frameworks for ending the conflict, but significant disagreements remained, particularly over territorial integrity and control of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region.
U.S. mediators said further negotiations are expected as early as next week, potentially continuing in Abu Dhabi, as both Russia and Ukraine signaled a willingness to keep dialogue open even without a formal agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the talks as “constructive” and emphasized the importance of continued negotiations, even as military pressure persists on the ground.
The assault marked one of the most intense attacks in recent months, compounding Ukraine’s energy crisis and humanitarian strain amid winter cold. Sky News reported that around 1.2 million buildings nationwide were left without power following the strikes, with temperatures plunging well below freezing.
International responses to the failed talks and violence varied, with Western allies continuing to support Ukraine’s push for peace while condemning the timing of the Russian attacks.
Originally Published By: Reuters, Al Jazeera, Sky News and Associated Press
Disclaimer: This report is based on information from external news agencies and official statements. It has been edited for clarity and length and does not reflect the views of this publication.
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