Talks In Abu Dhabi, Strikes In Kyiv: A Fragile Path To Peace

ABU DHABI / KYIV—On Saturday, January 24, 2026, the world witnessed a jarring contrast between high-level diplomacy and brutal warfare. While a “trilateral working group” met in Abu Dhabi to finalize a peace proposal, Russia launched a “massive enemy attack” on Kyiv and Kharkiv, leaving at least one dead and over 25 injured across the two cities.

The strikes occurred just hours after US President Donald Trump’s envoys completed a late-night meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, signaling that despite a potential breakthrough in negotiations, the “strategic initiative” on the battlefield remains a violent reality.

1. The Abu Dhabi Summit: “Nearly Ready”

The trilateral talks in the UAE represent the first formal three-way meeting between the warring nations and the US since 2022.

• The US Team: Led by special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Josh Gruenbaum (Board of Peace).
• The Russian Team: Led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov (GRU Chief) and economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
• The Ukrainian Team: Led by Rustem Umerov and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov.
• The “Anchorage Formula”: Negotiators are reportedly refining a land-for-peace framework established during the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska (August 2025). Putin has reiterated that Ukraine must withdraw from the Donbas as a non-negotiable condition.

2. Overnight Destruction: Kyiv & Kharkiv

Even as the UAE Foreign Ministry spoke of “promoting dialogue,” sirens blared across Ukraine.

• Kyiv’s Ordeal: Ballistic missiles and drones struck five districts. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported hits on residential buildings and a fuel truck in the Dniprovskyi district. One person was confirmed killed, and two remain in serious condition.
• Kharkiv’s Crisis: Over 20 explosions rocked the city. Mayor Igor Terekhov reported that Shahed drones hit a dormitory for displaced persons, a hospital, and a maternity clinic. At least 11 people were injured, including a pregnant woman.
• Energy on the Brink: The strikes targeted critical power infrastructure, leaving nearly half of Kyiv without heat or water in -13°C temperatures.

3. Strategic “Sticking Points”

Despite the optimism from the White House that negotiators are “down to one issue,” the divide remains deep:

• The Donbas: Russia demands a full Ukrainian withdrawal; Zelenskyy has countered with a proposal for an East-Ukraine Free Trade Zone under Ukrainian control.
• NATO & Security: Russia demands a neutral Ukraine; Zelenskyy claims “security guarantees” with the US are already finalized.
• Frozen Assets: The Kremlin has offered to transfer $1 billion of its frozen assets to a “Board of Peace” budget to jumpstart reconstruction.

Peace Process Snapshot: Jan 24, 2026