U.S.-brokered peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi concluded without a breakthrough, though both sides remained open to future dialogue. Discussions led by U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner centered on territorial contested areas and potential energy infrastructure ceasefires, but stalled over Russia’s demands for Ukrainian withdrawal from the Donbas. During the negotiations, Russia launched intensive drone and missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid, leaving over 1.2 million people without power in sub-zero temperatures. Ukrainian officials condemned the timing of the attacks as “cynical,” arguing that the violence undermined the legitimacy of the peace framework and the proposed involvement of Vladimir Putin in global peace initiatives.
Date: January 24, 2026. Source: aljazeera.com