• A U.S. official told ABC News that Ukraine has agreed to terms of a potential peace deal, with only minor details remaining.
  • U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll reportedly met secretly with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi following weekend talks with Ukraine in Geneva.
  • Neither Ukraine nor Russia has officially confirmed their delegations' presence in Abu Dhabi or the reported progress toward an agreement.

Secret Talks in Abu Dhabi

Efforts to broker an end to the Russo-Ukrainian war have reportedly made significant progress, with a U.S. official telling ABC News that Ukraine has agreed to the terms of a potential peace deal. The breakthrough, if confirmed, follows a series of clandestine diplomatic maneuvers, including a secret meeting between U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

These talks came directly after weekend negotiations with Ukrainian representatives in Geneva, according to the official, who described only "minor details" as remaining unresolved. A U.S. Army spokesman confirmed that talks with Russia are "progressing" and are being coordinated with the White House, though he declined to elaborate on specific terms or timelines.

A Cautious Path Forward

The reported progress marks a potential turning point in a conflict that has stretched for more than three years since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Multiple previous negotiation attempts—including early talks in Belarus and Turkey—ultimately collapsed amid irreconcilable demands from both sides.

Renewed diplomatic momentum began earlier this year following the change in U.S. administration, with pressure mounting for a settlement. In mid-June, Russia outlined strict ceasefire terms including Ukraine ceding all annexed territory, adopting neutrality, and abandoning NATO ambitions. Ukraine's own Victory Plan, meanwhile, called for stronger Western security guarantees and future integration with the EU and NATO.

Awaiting Official Word

Despite the optimistic reporting from U.S. officials, the situation remains fluid without confirmation from the primary parties involved. Neither Ukrainian nor Russian authorities have verified their delegations' presence in Abu Dhabi, leaving open questions about the deal's specific terms and implementation timeline.

People familiar with the matter suggest the White House has been heavily involved in coordinating the backchannel diplomacy, though the administration has yet to make any public statements confirming the reported breakthrough. Attempts to reach spokespeople for both the Ukrainian and Russian governments were unsuccessful.

Market observers are watching closely for any official announcements that could trigger significant movements in energy, grain, and defense sectors, given both nations' roles as major commodity exporters. Past rumors of peace talks have previously caused volatility across these markets.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the day of the reported meeting in Abu Dhabi; it occurred on Monday, not Tuesday.