U.S. holds secret talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi: sources say Ukrainian spy chief Budanov also participating

ABC News and Axios reported the information.

U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll conducted confidential discussions with a Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi on Monday and Tuesday. A Ukrainian delegation headed by military intelligence chief Gen. Kyrylo Budanov is also in Abu Dhabi, holding talks with both the U.S. and Russian teams, according to sources with knowledge of the meetings. The discussions represent the first direct engagement with Russian representatives following weekend negotiations in Geneva between American and Ukrainian officials.

The Abu Dhabi talks focused on a revised peace proposal that has been streamlined from 28 points to 19 points. The updated plan notably removes provisions addressing amnesty for wartime actions and restrictions on Ukraine's future military capabilities—two contentious issues that had complicated earlier discussions.

The Geneva meetings were led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Driscoll, who presented the initial framework to Ukrainian representatives. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged in a Monday evening address that additional work remained on the revised proposal.

Russian officials had previously stated they received no information about the Geneva discussions or subsequent modifications to the peace plan. Driscoll's trip to Abu Dhabi appears designed to address that gap, briefing the Russian delegation on changes made following consultations with Ukraine. According to sources, Ukrainian and Russian military intelligence chiefs were originally scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi on a different topic, but Driscoll's trip surprised the parties and changed the original plan.

The Army Secretary's prominent role in these sensitive diplomatic efforts emerged from discussions between President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance two weeks ago. While unconventional for a military service secretary to lead such negotiations, administration officials believe a military representative may resonate more effectively with both Moscow and Kyiv.

Prior to entering Ukraine last week, Driscoll coordinated with Rubio and Witkoff and stopped in Germany for additional briefings. He was accompanied by senior Army leadership, including Gen. Randy George, the Army Chief of Staff, though these military officers did not participate in the subsequent diplomatic sessions.

The secret Abu Dhabi meetings signal the administration's determination to maintain momentum in peace efforts, despite the complex challenges that have stalled previous attempts to resolve the conflict. Driscoll's spokesperson Lt. Col. Jeff Tolbert said the talks are "going well and we remain optimistic," with the Secretary "closely synchronized with the White House and the U.S. interagency as these talks progress."

• The U.S. peace plan for ending Russia's war against Ukraine was shortened by 9 points as a result of negotiations in Geneva.