On November 25, the US and Russia held an unprecedented meeting in Abu Dhabi between US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and Russian officials, in the context of the Trump administration strongly promoting a peace plan to end the conflict in Ukraine.
A US official confirmed the meeting but did not specify the Russian delegation. Driscoll is also expected to meet Ukrainian officials in Abu Dhabi.
The diplomatic effort comes as the US and Ukraine try to narrow the gap over the newly released 28-point peace plan, which has surprised both US, European and Ukrainian officials. The plan requires Kiev to cede more territory, accept military restrictions and give up joining NATO.
These terms are considered by Ukraine to be almost surrendered, especially in the context of Kiev having just suffered a missile attack and hundreds of drones, killing at least 6 people.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said after the talks in Geneva, the draft was reduced to 19 points and included many factors that he considered reasonable, but sensitive issues still needed him to discuss directly with President Trump. He emphasized that the process of completing the final document will be very difficult.
On the Russian side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the US-made plan could become a very good foundation for future negotiations. Meanwhile, in Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the goal of peace must come with respect for Ukraine's choice, not surrender. He affirmed that only Ukrainians have the right to decide the level of territorial cense and denied imposing military capacity limits on Kiev.
