First Trilateral Talks Since 2022: US, Russia, and Ukraine to Meet in UAE Amid Fresh Push to End War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that the United States, Russia, and Ukraine are set to hold a rare trilateral meeting in the United Arab Emirates starting Friday. This will mark the first such three-way engagement since the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine war in February 2022, a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and reshaped Europe’s security landscape.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Zelenskyy said the discussions would span two days. While he did not share details of the agenda, the Ukrainian leader expressed cautious optimism, saying the talks could open a pathway toward ending the prolonged and devastating war.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump, who attended the annual WEF meeting before returning home, told reporters that an American delegation was expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin either later that day or the following day. Trump confirmed that he had already held a meeting with President Zelenskyy in Davos, describing it as productive. When asked what message he intended to convey to Putin, Trump responded bluntly, saying the war must end, stressing that too many lives had already been lost.
Addressing the WEF gathering, Trump claimed that efforts to halt the Russia–Ukraine war were approaching a breakthrough. He admitted that he had initially believed a deal could be reached within hours, but acknowledged that the reality had proven far more complex. Trump said he has been attempting to persuade both Zelenskyy and Putin to agree on terms to bring the four-year-long conflict to a close.
Using unusually strong language, Trump remarked that it would be foolish for both leaders not to end the war now, adding that he believed neither of them was incapable of making that decision. He portrayed himself as skilled at resolving conflicts, though he noted that such responsibilities ideally fall under the purview of the United Nations. Ending the war, he emphasized, would save countless lives—potentially millions.
Trump also highlighted the deep animosity between Moscow and Kyiv, saying the level of hostility between Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy was damaging and made negotiations more difficult. He pointed out that previous attempts at agreements with Russia had faltered due to a lack of consensus from the Ukrainian side, calling the entire process a delicate and challenging balancing act.
The upcoming UAE meeting is being closely watched by the international community, as it represents a rare moment where all three key players are expected to be at the table simultaneously—raising hopes, however tentative, for a diplomatic breakthrough.