U.S. ‘cautiously optimistic’ ahead of Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi

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(The Center Square) – U.S. officials are hopeful ahead of the trilateral meeting between the U.S., Ukraine and Russia, with a focus on post-war security guarantees, as officials are “cautiously optimistic” the two sides will reach a deal.

The meeting is set to kick off in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Tuesday, bringing together the Eastern European countries that have been at war since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

The officials confirmed European partners, including France, Germany and the UK, will be joining the trilateral meeting, with the EU and NATO in cooperation, with the goal of bringing European partners into post-trilateral discussions, with the hopes of getting Russia to agree to a multilateral format.

The officials are describing it as post-war architecture, ensuring it brings a final end to the war, believing that is what all parties want to achieve.

The officials underscored the importance of having Europe at the table to end the war. The officials have asked Russia to give the OK on the U.S. giving Ukraine an Article Four and Five-like security guarantee, with NATO providing something similar. Though the officials added that getting a U.S. security guarantee is “a really big deal,” they added that it will ultimately be up to President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “to discuss.”

However, Trump remains clear that he wants Europe to continue carrying the “financial burden.”

The U.S. has been maintaining almost daily conversations with Russia and Ukraine, as the officials say they are showing some “flexibility.” However, they underscore that both sides have a lot of baggage. However, the officials “believe both parties are coming with good intentions.”

“Both parties remain skeptical of the other party’s intentions, we do see promising sides as the mediator, and we’re going to work to keep pushing to build the areas of common ground that we can work to a conclusion,” said the officials.

The meeting will consist of discussing post-war security concerns from both the Russians and Ukrainians, and “what arrangements would be necessary to prevent future conflicts.”

The officials plan on going into the meeting with both parties stating their red lines, then come to an understanding on what they agree upon.

“The fundamental challenge is that neither side will want to stop the fighting if it believes the other side will use the ceasefire to rearm and to prepare for another war,” said the officials. “We're exploring practical mechanisms for security consultations, crisis communications, military transparency, reciprocal de-escalation measures, but the goal is really for long-term stability.”

The officials were asked about an estimated timeline for when a deal can be reached; however, the officials said they are “trying to move as fast as possible,” and are making progress. They underscored that, for the first time, they believe they are seeing a “real desire” by Russia to end the war, highlighting the thousands dying on both sides.