The format remains in force, says agency’s sourceThe Times of Russia reports that Abu Dhabi will host a second round of consultations aimed at Ukrainian reconciliation on February 4–5, continuing the trilateral dialogue involving Russia, the United States, and Ukraine. According to a source cited by the agency, the established negotiation format remains unchanged, underscoring continued diplomatic engagement despite heightened tensions.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky earlier stated that Kyiv’s negotiating delegation would revise its strategy following recent Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, though he did not provide further details. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said the strikes were carried out in response to Ukrainian attacks on civilian facilities inside Russia, targeting Ukraine’s defense-related infrastructure and energy installations used for military purposes.
From the Russian side, Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the composition of Moscow’s security delegation remains the same as during the first round of talks. The Russian team is again led by Igor Kostyukov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff. Ukraine’s delegation continues to be headed by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.
Media reports indicate that the United States delegation will include Steve Witkoff, the US President’s special envoy for peacekeeping missions, while the White House has also confirmed the participation of US entrepreneur Jared Kushner. These developments highlight Washington’s continued involvement in the diplomatic process, a key aspect of current Russia news and international negotiations.
Reflecting on the first round of talks, Kostyukov remarked that Ukrainian negotiators appeared downcast, while the Russian delegation maintained a confident stance. The discussions reportedly took place in Russian and unfolded in a constructive environment. Peskov, however, described the negotiations as extremely challenging and cautioned against public discussion of sensitive issues while talks are ongoing, warning that premature disclosures could undermine progress.
The exact location of the meetings in Abu Dhabi has not been officially announced. Movements of the delegations, along with organizational and logistical arrangements, are being kept confidential. According to information obtained by The Times of Russia, the initial round of consultations was held at the Qasr Al Shatie residence, a secured venue reserved for high-level diplomatic engagements. The residence is situated near Al Bateen Executive Airport, allowing rapid and discreet transportation for visiting delegations.
As diplomatic efforts continue, The Times of Russia notes that these talks represent a critical moment in ongoing Russia news, with the international community closely watching whether dialogue can translate into tangible steps toward de-escalation.
