Ukraine and Russia agree to more U.S.-brokered talks after strikes hit during negotiations

Ukraine and Russia have agreed to continue direct negotiations under U.S. mediation, with a second round of talks scheduled for February 1, 2026, in Abu Dhabi. The commitment follows a two-day meeting in the United Arab Emirates that officials described as a step forward in a process aimed at ending the nearly four-year war. A U.S. official characterized the fact of getting everyone in the same place as meaningful progress, arguing that key details needed to reach a conclusion were being defined more clearly.

The discussions were overshadowed by renewed Russian attacks on Ukraine. During the negotiations, Russia launched drone and missile strikes targeting Kyiv and Kharkiv, Ukraine’s two largest cities, according to Ukrainian officials and reporting. Kyiv said the barrage hit critical infrastructure and contributed to casualties and disruptions. Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, condemned the strikes as a deliberate attempt to derail diplomacy, framing the assault as another night of terror even while delegations were meeting to explore an America-led peace process.

Despite the attacks, the parties signaled willingness to keep talking. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the conversations as constructive, saying many issues were discussed and that maintaining dialogue matters. The planned February 1 meeting would extend the first known direct contact between Ukrainian and Russian officials under the current U.S.-backed plan. While the battlefield situation remains fluid and both sides continue military operations, the Abu Dhabi channel appears set to remain active for at least another round.

The briefing also noted related developments around the conflict and sanctions. A tanker suspected of being part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet—used to evade sanctions—was intercepted by French authorities and directed toward a southern French port for inspection as part of a preliminary investigation. On the battlefield, Russian officials claimed gains in the Kharkiv region while Ukrainian reporting did not confirm the same specifics, underscoring how difficult independent verification remains amid ongoing fighting.

U.S. officials said further talks were expected after the Abu Dhabi meetings, calling the gathering itself a significant step.

For now, the next milestone is the February 1 session in Abu Dhabi, which will test whether the negotiating track can survive continued strikes and deep disputes over territory, security guarantees and the future status of contested regions. Observers expect the talks to focus on narrowing disagreements and establishing practical steps—such as ceasefire parameters or sequencing—though no public framework has been confirmed. Ukraine continues to emphasize protection of civilians and infrastructure as essential to any credible diplomacy.