The United States wants to organize a meeting of representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the US as early as October, most likely in Abu Dhabi, to discuss a limited ceasefire. The move fits into a broader strategy by Donald Trump’s team: first reduce the scale of the war, then create conditions for restoring economic ties and business deals with Russia.
This was reported by The Atlantic.
During a recent visit to Kyiv, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner spent several hours talking with Volodymyr Zelensky and his negotiating team about ways to achieve a limited ceasefire. The plan is then to expand it into a broader agreement and a phased end to the war.
“Their main message right now is to shrink the conflict in any way, from any direction,” one Ukrainian negotiator said.
The next step could be a meeting of representatives from the US, Ukraine and Russia as early as October. Abu Dhabi is seen as the most likely venue.
One possible agreement could involve a mutual commitment by Ukraine and Russia not to strike each other’s energy infrastructure, including power plants, oil refineries and similar facilities. Separately, with Egypt’s involvement, the sides are discussing an end to strikes on cargo ships in the Black Sea, particularly those carrying grain.
However, ceasefire talks are only part of the Trump team’s broader approach. US officials are linking the peace process to future economic agreements with Russia.
Kushner has described business deals, or “prosperity agreements,” as an important part of Trump’s strategy. He said that after a ceasefire, the sides should have the prospect of foreign investment and economic growth.
Ukrainian negotiators see the approach differently. One told The Atlantic that the prospect of business deals is now a major driver for US officials. Another said Washington believes economic interdependence could prevent Russia from returning to militarism after the war.
At the same time, Trump’s representatives currently do not see a way to conduct full-scale business with Russia without at least a partial ceasefire in Ukraine.
US officials are also seeking to arrange a meeting between Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin as soon as possible. The US has invited Putin to the G20 summit in Miami in December, where Trump could also try to bring Zelensky to the negotiating table.
