U.S. Secretary of Defense Dan Driscoll arrived in Abu Dhabi on the evening of November 24 to begin confidential peace talks with Russian and Ukrainian officials, according to the *Financial Times*.
Financial Times Reports Secret Abu Dhabi Peace Talks
According to the *Financial Times*, the United States is conducting covert peace negotiations with Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi. On Monday evening, Liu Driscoll flew to the UAE capital to meet Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov and a Russian delegation. The talks commenced that evening and were expected to continue into Tuesday. A source told the newspaper that Driscoll, who had been heavily involved in the Geneva peace process, can relay the discussions to Russia while Ukraine remains informed about the outcomes. The reporting also noted that Driscoll’s participation was intended to support Secretary of State Marco Rubio and presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, though it is unclear whether trilateral talks will materialize in Abu Dhabi.
Ukraine Signals Progress in Geneva Negotiations
President Volodymyr Zelensky said his delegation returned from Geneva after talks with the U.S. and European partners, indicating that steps toward ending the war “may become realistic.” He noted that the remaining points have fallen below the 28 originally outlined, and praised the world’s readiness to help. Zelensky emphasized the need for joint work to finalize the document “with dignity,” and acknowledged the constructive approach of the U.S. side. The president posted these remarks on the social‑media platform X.
Presidential Dialogue Remains Uncertain
Zelensky indicated that unresolved elements of the peace plan would be addressed directly with President Donald Trump, but no meeting has been scheduled for this week. White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt confirmed that a Trump‑Zelensky encounter is not planned in the current week, though she praised the recent Geneva negotiations and stressed that Washington is engaged equally with both sides. She added that all points must be agreed upon before Russia can also consent to the terms.
