Russia and the United States have reached preliminary understandings on next steps related to Ukraine, according to commentary by Putin aide Yury Ushakov published Thursday on the Kremlin’s website.
Ushakov said U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, joined by Jared Kushner and White House economic adviser Josh Gruenbaum, conveyed details of discussions held in Davos, Mar-a-Lago, and several European capitals, including a meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to inform Russia’s assessment of potential future steps.
According to Ushakov, the sides agreed in principle to convene a trilateral security working group involving Russia, the United States, and Ukraine, with an initial meeting proposed for Friday in Abu Dhabi. He said Abu Dhabi is also expected to host a meeting of a separate U.S.-Russia economic working group led by Kirill Dmitriev and Witkoff.
Ushakov said Russia has formed a security negotiating team led by senior Defense Ministry officials under Admiral Igor Kostyukov and that President Vladimir Putin has issued instructions to the delegation based on recent discussions.
The commentary said participants reaffirmed that a lasting settlement would require addressing territorial issues under a framework previously discussed in Anchorage, and that Putin reiterated Russia’s preference for a political resolution while stating military objectives would continue in the absence of an agreement.
Ushakov said discussions also covered Trump’s proposal for a Board of Peace, regional matters, and Greenland, adding that Russia expressed readiness to allocate $1 billion from frozen assets to the proposed board, with remaining funds potentially directed toward post-conflict reconstruction after a peace agreement.
He added that broader U.S.-Russia relations were discussed at a conceptual level, citing potential post-settlement cooperation, and said both sides agreed to maintain close contact on Ukraine and other issues.
