The new peace negotiations did not result in a breakthrough: the meeting of Ukraine, the USA and the Russian Federation ended in record time - this is the shortest round of tripartite negotiations for 2026.
The second day of negotiations lasted only 1.5 hours, the first - about 4.5 hours. In total, the parties sat at the negotiating table for about 6 hours. The previous rounds took much longer.
The only possible progress is a major prisoner exchange. The formulas "1,000 x 1,000" or "1,500 x 1,500" have been discussed, but there are no final agreements yet.
It is still difficult to talk about security guarantees. There is no clear understanding of who and how will actually protect Ukraine in case of a new attack by the Russian Federation. But the very discussion of this topic is already important.
Nothing concrete about the ceasefire either. The parties discussed a possible truce in the Black Sea and the cessation of energy attacks, but no agreements were announced.
Don't rely on quick breakthroughs. Negotiations remain difficult, and the main contradictions between Ukraine and Russia have not disappeared.
The most difficult issue is the territories of Ukraine. The parties should discuss this in more detail in future meetings, but final decisions are only possible at the level of the leaders.
Moscow continues to make territorial claims. Medinsky states that Russia will allegedly return all the lands it considers its own, and advises Europeans not to live under illusions.
The Russians continue to live in their own reality. Moscow has already announced the alleged capture of Sviatohirsk. Against the background of statements of this kind, it will be even more difficult to find an understanding about the territories.
Europe was effectively left aside. The Russian delegation did not even contact the EU representatives who arrived in Abu Dhabi. At the same time, Medinsky called the new European security system the main topic of the negotiations.
At the moment there is no reason to count on a quick and peaceful breakthrough.
Ukraine online.