Ukraine, Russia, and United States hold first trilateral talks since 2022 invasion

Friday 23 January 2026 - 12:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Ukraine, Russia, and United States hold first trilateral talks since 2022 invasion

President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for about an hour at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22, 2026. Both leaders described the meeting as good and productive. Zelensky announced that a document outlining U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine stands finalized and ready for signature by the two presidents, followed by ratification in their respective legislatures.

These security assurances take effect only after the conflict ends, Zelensky clarified. Asked about a message for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that the war must stop. Despite progress on guarantees, territorial disputes remain the key unresolved issue in peace negotiations, with Zelensky noting that everything hinges on Ukraine's eastern regions, where Russia currently controls about 20 percent of the country.

Hours after Davos, Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held nearly four hours of nighttime talks with Putin in Moscow. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov called the exchanges exceptionally substantive and constructive but stressed no hope for a lasting settlement without addressing Russia's territorial claims. Diplomatic pressure has now yielded a historic milestone: the first trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States since Russia's full-scale 2022 invasion, set for Abu Dhabi on January 23 and 24.

Zelensky confirmed that teams from all three sides will participate, led on the Russian side by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of the GRU military intelligence agency, and including top Ukrainian presidential and military officials. The White House verified U.S. involvement without further details. In his Davos speech, Zelensky sharply criticized European allies for inadequate action, likening their response to the film Groundhog Day and urging them to match Trump's resolve.

Zelensky returned from Davos with agreements for a new air defense system, deemed vital to shield civilians from ongoing Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. For policy analysts and professionals tracking international security trends, these developments signal a potential shift toward negotiated resolutions amid persistent territorial sticking points.