Kremlin confirms next Russia-Ukraine peace talks set for Abu Dhabi next week

The Kremlin confirmed on Monday that another round of trilateral peace negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States is planned for next week in Abu Dhabi. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated the exact date is still being finalized, following initial talks held in the UAE capital on January 23-24. While acknowledging the talks are in a preliminary phase, Peskov offered a cautiously positive assessment, noting the "mere fact that these contacts have begun constructively can be assessed positively."

Territorial Issue Remains Fundamental for Moscow

Peskov reiterated that resolving territorial disputes is a cornerstone of Russia's position, directly linking it to the "Anchorage Formula" agreed upon by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in August 2025. He described the agenda items as "very complicated" and urged against public discussion of specific provisions, particularly in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent public statements on Donbas. "It would be incorrect to discuss individual aspects of the issues on the agenda now, especially in a public format," Peskov advised.

Kremlin Comments on Global Flashpoints

The briefing also covered several other international issues. Regarding escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, Peskov warned that any American military strike would "seriously destabilize the Middle East" and called for restraint. On Venezuela, he affirmed that Russia maintains "constant contact" with Caracas and that bilateral relations remain a priority for the South American nation. Responding to U.S. media reports about a potential blockade of Cuba, Peskov labeled the information "alarming" and expressed solidarity with Havana, stating Russia values its relations with the island nation.