The second and final round of US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine resumed in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, a day after the two sides began their latest trilateral negotiations in the UAE capital.
Russian media outlets, including state news agency TASS, reported the start of the second day of talks, citing sources. The first day's discussions have lasted around four and a half hours, according to Russian media reports.
TASS separately reported that the Russian delegation was scheduled to make a statement to the press on Wednesday afternoon after the trilateral meeting.
Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine's negotiating delegation, also confirmed that the talks had resumed. In a statement on Telegram, he said a separate meeting with European representatives would follow the trilateral discussions.
The latest Abu Dhabi talks are the first since trilateral negotiations were held in Geneva in February. They follow two earlier rounds hosted by the UAE capital in January and February.
Russia's delegation is led by presidential envoy Vladimir Medinsky and includes Deputy Foreign Ministers Mikhail Galuzin and Sergey Ryabkov. Ryabkov told Vesti after the first day that it was too early to assess the outcome of the negotiations.
Zelenskyy describes first day as constructive
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the trilateral talks as "constructive and quite substantive", saying security guarantees for Ukraine had been discussed in detail, including arrangements to ensure their long-term effectiveness.
"Real tools are needed to block any recurrence of the war. The need for de-escalation steps was also touched upon," Zelenskyy wrote on X.
He said the sides had also discussed possible humanitarian measures, stressing that the release of prisoners remained a "priority".
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are representing Washington at the talks. Kushner expressed optimism after the first day.
"We are encouraged by the constructive discussions today," he wrote on X, adding that US negotiators were acting under direct executive guidance.
Separately, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Tuesday's negotiations as "very productive". Speaking to reporters in France, he said the diplomatic efforts aimed to establish lasting security arrangements.
European representatives join diplomatic efforts
The trilateral talks were preceded by a meeting between US and Ukrainian officials, also attended by representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission.
Umerov said a separate meeting with European representatives would take place after Wednesday's trilateral negotiations, signalling continued efforts to involve European partners in discussions on Ukraine's security.
