The United States has proposed the United Arab Emirates as a possible venue for technical-level trilateral talks involving the US, Russia and Ukraine, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy said on September 25 that Washington had proposed preparing a three-way meeting and that Ukraine was awaiting a US proposal on the date. No specific date has been announced.
The proposal comes as Washington seeks to restart diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the Russia–Ukraine war. Zelenskyy had discussed the possibility of renewed trilateral engagement with US President Donald Trump during meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Kremlin also confirmed that the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving Russia, the US and Ukraine had been discussed during a recent phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said such a meeting could take place in the near future, while noting that specific details had not yet been established.
The UAE has previously hosted US-mediated Russia–Ukraine discussions in Abu Dhabi, including two rounds earlier in 2026. Its involvement in the latest proposal reflects its established role as a location for diplomatic engagement between the parties.
The proposed meeting would initially operate at the technical level, rather than as a leaders’ summit. Discussions could provide an avenue for officials to examine possible steps toward renewed negotiations and de-escalation.
For Abu Dhabi, the proposal adds to its record of facilitating international diplomatic dialogue and hosting discussions involving parties to major conflicts. The UAE has consistently maintained diplomatic engagement with both Russia and Ukraine while supporting international efforts focused on dialogue and stability.
