The US is to mediate the first talks between Russia and Ukraine since February in Abu Dhabi next week

Steve Witkoff, Trump's Middle East envoy, announced the trilateral negotiations will take place in Abu Dhabi next week — the first direct engagement between the two sides since talks collapsed in February. All five sources confirm the US will act as mediator rather than observer, marking a significant escalation in Washington's diplomatic involvement.

The Abu Dhabi round will be the first trilateral format the US has brokered, with Witkoff personally leading the American delegation.

February's talks broke down without agreement on a ceasefire framework, leaving the front lines largely static for months.

No date within next week has yet been confirmed, and neither Kyiv nor Moscow has publicly commented on the announcement.