U. S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll held talks with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi to support President Trump’s effort to end the war in Ukraine. U. S. and Ukrainian officials are trying to resolve key issues in a peace plan, with Ukraine concerned about being forced into a deal that favors Russia. Driscoll’s spokesperson noted that discussions were progressing well, and he was coordinating closely with the White House. The specific details of the talks, including the Russian delegation’s composition, remain unclear. Driscoll is also set to meet Ukrainian officials during his visit.
Ukraine’s situation is serious, as a recent Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv resulted in at least six deaths and significant disruptions to power and heating. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is facing pressure after a corruption scandal has weakened his position, making it harder for him to persuade Ukrainians to accept a deal that may compromise their interests. Zelenskiy stated that some points of the latest U. S. peace proposal are acceptable but indicated that he would discuss sensitive topics with President Trump. He may visit the U. S. soon, but skepticism remains about achieving peace while Russia continues its attacks.
The U. S. peace proposal, which demands that Ukraine cede territory and limit its military, has raised concerns in Kyiv and Europe about possible capitulation to Russian demands. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that while the pursuit of peace is important, it should not involve Ukraine’s surrender. He stated that any territorial concessions should be decided by Ukrainians themselves.
Additionally, a coalition of nations supporting Ukraine was scheduled to meet virtually to discuss the situation. In a related incident, Romania scrambled fighter jets to monitor drones that entered its airspace from Ukraine, highlighting increasing tensions along NATO’s eastern border as suspected Russian drones have violated the airspace of several NATO countries. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for a peace plan that aligns with agreements made between Trump and Putin, stressing the need for mutual understanding.
With information from Reuters