A secret US–Russia Peace Talk led by US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll took place in Abu Dhabi on Nov 24–25 with senior Russian officials and Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. The high-stakes meeting focused on a revised 19-point peace framework following Geneva’s disputed talks, marking a crucial turning point in efforts to broker a settlement to the Ukraine conflict.
Secret US–Russia Peace Talk in Abu Dhabi
TheInterviewTimes.com | 25 November 2025: A major diplomatic shift unfolded as the US–Russia Peace Talk quietly resumed in Abu Dhabi, where US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll met senior Russian officials along with Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov on November 24–25.
This covert engagement comes as Washington attempts to revive stalled negotiations and craft a workable peace formula after the contentious Geneva round last weekend.
The Trump administration is pushing for a breakthrough ahead of its self-imposed Thanksgiving timeline for a draft peace agreement.
Geneva Fallout and the Need for a New Track
The renewed US–Russia Peace Talk follows Geneva discussions where an earlier 28-point US peace plan—widely criticised in Kyiv and Europe—was narrowed to 19 points.
The initial proposal faced strong backlash because it required:
- Territorial concessions by Ukraine
- A NATO membership ban
- Sharp reductions in Ukraine’s military strength
European allies termed the original plan “unacceptable,” with France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reportedly calling it “near capitulation.”
A European counter-proposal focused on current front lines, stronger US guarantees, and long-term defense support, but Russia rejected the amendments as “completely unconstructive.”
What the Abu Dhabi Talks Changed
Army Secretary Driscoll’s involvement signals the opening of a parallel diplomatic channel running alongside formal negotiations.
Sources confirm that Ukraine has agreed in principle to the revised 19-point framework, while US officials say only “minor clarifications” remain unresolved.
The updated peace blueprint makes several key shifts:
- No compulsory territorial concessions
- No ban on future NATO membership
- No cap on Ukraine’s military capabilities
- Removal of blanket amnesty for Russian war crimes
Instead, the new focus is on:
- Security guarantees
- Prisoner exchanges
- Economic normalization
- Deferring sensitive issues like Donbas and Crimea to direct talks between President Trump and President Zelensky
This recalibration appears designed to keep Ukraine’s sovereignty intact while allowing continued engagement with Moscow.
Signals from Washington and the Kremlin
The Kremlin is reviewing the modified plan and notes that Washington has shifted away from earlier positions that favored Moscow.
However, Russia has not issued an official response and is awaiting the full text of the revised framework.
The Trump White House had set a Thanksgiving week target for a preliminary agreement, but officials now suggest the deadline may extend as negotiations enter a “complex but promising” phase.
Europe’s Reaction and Kyiv’s Cautious Hope
Across Europe, caution prevails. EU capitals worry that Washington may still prioritize speed over strategic depth, even with the improvements made in the new version.
But Ukrainian negotiators say the latest draft has removed “almost all troubling elements” from the earlier 28-point plan. Kyiv believes the revised US–Russia Peace Talk structure now offers a more equitable balance between security guarantees and national sovereignty.
Meanwhile, European parliaments are accelerating defense cooperation measures to ensure Ukraine is not pressured into strategic compromises during the negotiation phase.
A Critical Turn in the US–Russia Peace Talk
The secretive Abu Dhabi meeting marks one of the most pivotal chapters in the ongoing effort to end Europe’s most destabilizing conflict in decades.
Whether the new 19-point plan becomes the foundation for a historic peace deal—or collapses under political strain—will become clearer as the next round of high-level talks unfolds.
Key Takeaways
- A covert US–Russia Peace Talk occurred in Abu Dhabi with Ukraine also present.
- The revised 19-point peace plan removes earlier territorial and NATO restrictions on Ukraine.
- Russia is reviewing the text but has not issued an official reaction.
- Europe remains cautious but acknowledges improvements in the new draft.
- Final outcomes depend on upcoming Trump–Zelensky–Putin level diplomacy.