Ukraine has strongly condemned a new wave of Russian strikes that killed one person and injured dozens more, even as trilateral talks with the United States and Russia aimed at ending the war were underway in Abu Dhabi. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the attack "brutal" and "cynically" ordered by Russian leader Vladimir Putin, stating it had "hit not only our people, but also the negotiation table."

The strikes, occurring overnight into Saturday, caused significant casualties and damage. In the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported one person died and four were wounded, with three hospitalized. Critical infrastructure in Kyiv was damaged, leaving 6,000 buildings without heating amidst freezing temperatures of around -12C. In Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov stated that 31 people were injured during the sustained assault, which also damaged a maternity hospital and a hostel for displaced people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the main target of the Russians was the energy infrastructure, an issue that had previously forced him to cancel a trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The talks in Abu Dhabi marked the first trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine, and the US since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Hosted by the United Arab Emirates, these discussions focused on the possible parameters for ending the war and ensuring genuine security. Despite the constructive nature of some conversations, a breakthrough remained elusive, primarily due to the unresolved issue of territory.

Russia currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine, including parts of the eastern Donbas region and the Crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014. The Kremlin insists on Ukraine handing over large areas of territory, a demand unequivocally rejected by Ukraine. President Zelensky emphasized in Davos, "It's all about the land. This is the issue which is not solved yet." Earlier discussions between then-US President Donald Trump and Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, last August, reportedly resulted in an agreement for Russia to take the Donbas and keep Crimea, a proposal Zelensky has explicitly ruled out, particularly regarding the Donbas (Luhansk and Donetsk) which has been partly occupied by Russia for 12 years.

Before the Abu Dhabi talks, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Putin in Moscow. Following this meeting, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov stated Putin's commitment to settling the crisis by political and diplomatic means but stressed that a lasting settlement was unlikely without addressing the territorial issue based on the Anchorage formula. Trump had also claimed last week that Putin accepted an invitation to join his 'Board of Peace' aimed at ending global conflicts, though Putin has not confirmed this.

Following the conclusion of the talks, Ukraine's delegation leader Rustem Umerov stated that the meeting focused on parameters for ending the war and the logic of the negotiation process towards a dignified and lasting peace. While no immediate breakthrough occurred, President Zelensky raised the possibility of a second meeting as early as next week, with all sides agreeing to report back to their capitals and coordinate further steps. Russian news agency RIA also indicated Moscow's openness to continued dialogue, suggesting that despite the ongoing conflict and diplomatic challenges, avenues for future discussions remain open.