Negotiators from Russia, Ukraine and the United States opened two days of talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday aimed at ending the nearly five-year war in Ukraine.

The sessions mark the first face-to-face meetings between the sides in nine months and the third round hosted in the United Arab Emirates capital this year. American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are leading the U.S. delegation.

Russia's team is headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. Ukraine is represented by a group led by Rustem Umerov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. The talks focus on security guarantees, ending hostilities and postwar arrangements.

U.S. officials described the initial discussions as productive. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the first day very productive after meeting Ukrainian counterparts separately in Paris. Envoys noted that recent contacts had narrowed gaps on key issues, though significant differences remain over territory and security architecture.

European officials are not participating in the core trilateral format but met separately with Ukrainian delegates and U.S. representatives. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the three-way structure was agreed upon in advance.

The war has continued with intensifying air operations and ongoing ground fighting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cited recent battlefield gains ahead of the talks, while Russian demands include limits on Ukrainian military capabilities and neutrality commitments.

The Abu Dhabi meetings are expected to address prisoner exchanges and possible partial ceasefires in maritime and energy sectors as steps toward broader agreements. A potential leaders' summit could follow if progress occurs.

Trump administration officials have emphasized building on existing European security institutions while seeking a durable resolution that avoids prolonged conflict.