Diplomatic efforts to find a way out of the Ukraine conflict are continuing, with Moscow signalling cautious optimism after two days of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi.
The next step could be a visit by US envoys to the Russian capital for further discussions with President Vladimir Putin.
But what is driving Washington’s push for progress now, and is a breakthrough within reach?
Moscow says there is a foundation for further work following the trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in the UAE.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the discussions had laid the groundwork for continuing the process.
And the US envoys are now expected to visit Moscow for further talks with the Russian president.
“The fact that the Americans are coming to Moscow shows that they are truly interested in achieving a breakthrough now. Well, Trump, of course, has a certain domestic political factor hanging over him. That’s the recent congressional elections that ended in the Republican Party defeat. And he understands that, of course, it would be a good idea. After all, resolving the Ukrainian crisis right now, before the Democrats come to power, before they launch new investigations into Trump and perhaps try to impeach him again,” says Malek Dudakov, political analyst.
The central topic in Abu Dhabi was the future security architecture in Europe and how it could be shaped once the conflict in Ukraine is over.
Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who headed the Russian delegation, said the conflict had exposed serious weaknesses in Europe’s existing security system.
Medinsky also confirmed an agreement on a new large-scale prisoner exchange between the two sides, and he thanked US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for their efforts.
European countries say they are concerned about being sidelined during the talks, and Medinsky said they could join the peace process when they showed a genuine willingness to contribute.
But Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said European statements so far did not suggest a readiness to help advance peace in Ukraine. – By Dasha Chernyshova