US-Russian Dialogue in Abu Dhabi.. Macron Warns Against Kyiv's 'Surrender'

In an intensive diplomatic move aimed at ending the four-year Russian-Ukrainian war, US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll is holding closed meetings today (Tuesday) in Abu Dhabi with Russian and Ukrainian officials.

The US Plan and the Ukrainian Response

These talks aim to bridge the gap between the original US peace plan, which has been heavily influenced by Russian demands, and the Ukrainian response backed by Europe, amid concerns that the plan may lean too much towards Moscow's interests.

According to reports from global news agencies including Reuters and CNN, Driscoll has already met with a Russian delegation for several hours on Monday evening, and discussions are expected to continue throughout Tuesday to discuss "the peace process and accelerating negotiations," according to a US official speaking to The Guardian.

Identity of the Russian Delegation

The identity of the Russian delegation has not been disclosed, while reports indicate that Ukraine may be represented by Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence at the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (GUR).

Driscoll in Abu Dhabi

Driscoll arrives in Abu Dhabi after participating in talks in Geneva last weekend, where the original 28-point US plan was shortened, focusing on security guarantees, but it still raises controversy due to suggestions such as banning Ukraine's NATO membership and restricting the size of its army.

According to the Financial Times, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the meetings, stating he "has nothing to say about the talks."

Driscoll, who was appointed in February 2025, is the main diplomatic face of President Donald Trump's administration in these efforts, working alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other special envoys, but without their participation in Abu Dhabi this time.

Ongoing Russian Attacks Hinder Diplomatic Efforts

Despite these efforts, Russia has not ceased its military attacks, launching a new wave of nighttime strikes on Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of 6 people and injuries to at least 13 others in Kyiv, according to Ukrainian emergency services.

The attacks, which included ballistic missiles and drones, led to water, electricity, and heating outages in parts of the capital, with additional damage to Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

One drone ignited a fire in a multi-story residential building, as documented by the Associated Press.

On the Russian side, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that 3 people were killed and 10 others injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in the Rostov region, reflecting a mutual escalation that hinders diplomatic progress.

Macron's Warning: A Peace Deal Does Not Mean Surrender

In a related context, French President Emmanuel Macron warned this morning against any agreement that ends the Russian invasion of Ukraine if it resembles a "surrender" from Kyiv, cautioning that it "would give Russia the freedom to advance further, including towards other European countries, threatening everyone's security."

In an interview with RTL radio, Macron emphasized that any deal must be "strong enough to last" and prevent Russia from re-invading "after six months or eight months or two years," noting that the US plan contains elements worth discussing but needs improvement to be acceptable to Ukraine and Europe.

Updates Ongoing

This comes amid Trump's accelerating efforts to end the conflict, with the possibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visiting Washington soon to discuss "sensitive issues."