US mediator Witkoff announces talks with Russia and Ukraine

In the faltering negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, the USA has announced new three-way talks with Ukraine and Russia next week.

According to US special envoy Steve Witkoff, representatives of the three countries will meet in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday next week. They then want to negotiate for two days. "The discussions will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian assistance and the next steps towards peace," he said.

Meeting with the EU and NATO this week

In addition, according to Witkoff, US envoys are scheduled to meet with representatives from Germany, France, Great Britain, NATO and the EU this week. The talks in Brussels will focus on security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe's post-war security order and reconstruction.

The three-way meeting in Abu Dhabi is the first in this format since February. With the start of its war against Iran, the USA initially suspended its diplomatic efforts regarding Ukraine. Kiev wants the Europeans to be included in the new negotiations. We will “hopefully” find a way to do this, President Zelensky said in The Hague last week.

Despite diplomatic efforts, Russia continues its attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy facilities. At the same time, concerns are growing in Kiev and among its European allies that US President Trump is increasingly moving closer to Moscow in the conflict.

With information from Carsten Kühntopp, ARD Studio Washington.