ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates
Peace talks hosted in Abu Dhabi aimed at de-escalating the war between Russia and Ukraine collapsed this week without a breakthrough, as intense fighting resumed on the ground, underscoring the deep divisions that continue to derail diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
The high-level negotiations, facilitated by the United States with Emirati mediation, brought together senior officials from Moscow and Kyiv for two days of discussions billed as a renewed push toward a ceasefire. Despite cautious optimism ahead of the talks, delegations departed the UAE capital without an agreement, with officials on both sides acknowledging that key differences remained unresolved.
Within hours of the talks ending, hostilities escalated sharply. Ukrainian authorities reported a fresh wave of Russian missile and drone strikes targeting major cities and critical infrastructure, including power and heating facilities. The attacks triggered widespread electricity outages amid winter conditions, prompting emergency measures and renewed international condemnation.
Russia, meanwhile, accused Ukraine of continuing military operations along the front lines, arguing that conditions were not conducive to a ceasefire. Moscow has maintained that any peace deal must reflect what it calls “new territorial realities,” a position Kyiv has firmly rejected.
At the heart of the failed negotiations were disputes over territorial sovereignty, security guarantees, and the sequencing of a potential ceasefire. Ukrainian officials reiterated their demand for a complete withdrawal of Russian forces and binding international security assurances, while Russian negotiators pressed for recognition of occupied territories and limits on Ukraine’s future military alignments.
U.S. officials described the Abu Dhabi talks as “frank and substantive” but acknowledged that the gap between the two sides remains wide. Washington said it would continue diplomatic engagement, emphasizing that dialogue remains the only viable path to ending the war, even as fighting persists.
The collapse of the talks has drawn concern from international observers, who warn that the failure to secure even a temporary ceasefire risks further civilian suffering and regional instability. Humanitarian groups have cautioned that renewed attacks on infrastructure could exacerbate shortages of electricity, heating, and water for millions of civilians.
The Abu Dhabi negotiations marked the most significant face-to-face engagement between the parties in months, raising expectations that progress might be possible. Instead, the breakdown has highlighted the entrenched nature of the conflict and the limits of diplomacy amid ongoing military operations.
As global attention now shifts to whether another round of talks can be convened, the resumption of fighting serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing mediators seeking to bridge irreconcilable positions. For now, the war continues, with diplomacy once again struggling to keep pace with events on the battlefield.
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