High-ranking officials from Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington are convening for the first trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, aiming to discuss and address postwar security concerns in Ukraine. The negotiations, which come as the fifth anniversary of Russia's invasion approaches, are expected to focus on the establishment of a new "security architecture" that would potentially reassure Ukraine's allies and possibly roll back NATO from Eastern Europe, addressing longstanding Russian ambitions. The discussions are crucial for resolving territorial disputes, particularly over Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk, where both sides hold opposing views on control. Although both Moscow and Kyiv have maintained their public stances, US officials suggest privately there has been a degree of flexibility shown by both parties. However, the issue remains complex without comprehensive discussions about the postwar security arrangement, as neither the Donetsk question nor the territorial issue can be resolved independently, according to US officials. The European Union, which has largely been excluded from previous peace talks, is pushing for inclusion in any meaningful discussions about Europe's security architecture, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging NATO allies and EU members to be part of the process. The proposed framework includes security consultations, crisis communications hotlines, and reciprocal de-escalation measures between the two, as well as reactivating the NATO-Russia Council that has been largely paused since 2022. Despite several rounds of talks, the outcome remains uncertain, with concerns in Ukraine over President Trump's increasingly conciliatory approach towards Russia and skepticism about a potential "big, beautiful agreement" that might involve all of Europe. Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Merezhko has stated that Putin will only start real negotiations under pressure from sanctions and deep strikes, and recent moves by Trump, such as the diesel deal with Russia, are perceived as encouraging Moscow to continue the war. The talks in Abu Dhabi mark a significant step towards resolving the longstanding conflict in Ukraine, but the road to peace remains fraught with challenges and complexities.