By Trendsetter Tribune 
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, that while the checklist of disagreements between Ukraine and Russia has “substantially diminished,” the remaining points of contention are the most difficult to solve. His remarks coincide with the second round of trilateral talks currently underway in Abu Dhabi, mediated by the United States.
Rubio’s assessment highlights a “good news, bad news” reality: the diplomatic path is clearer than it was a year ago, but the war continues to rage as both sides dig in on existential issues.
Progress at the Technical Level
Since the first round of talks on January 23–24, the Trump administration has pushed for a technical-track approach to strip away smaller disagreements.
- The “Checklist”: Rubio noted that issues regarding prisoner exchanges, grain corridors, and certain maritime security protocols have seen movement.
- The Format: The current round in Abu Dhabi has shifted from a broad trilateral meeting into issue-specific working groups, led on the Ukrainian side by Rustem Umerov.
The “Impenetrable” Obstacles
Despite the optimism from Washington, the “items that remain” are the ones that have defined the conflict for four years.
| Issue | Ukrainian Position | Russian Position |
| Donetsk Region | Refuses to cede any territory; calls for a freeze along current lines. | Demands full Ukrainian withdrawal from all of Donetsk as a precondition. |
| Security Guarantees | Demands “legally binding” U.S./European guarantees (NATO-style). | Rejects Western guarantees; insists on a “neutral” demilitarized Ukraine. |
| Energy Infrastructure | Calls for a permanent cessation of strikes on the power grid. | Violated the “energy truce” this week with a massive missile barrage. |
| Zaporizhzhia NPP | Demands full demilitarization and return to Ukrainian control. | Considers the plant and the surrounding region part of Russia. |
The Shadow of the “Energy Truce” Violation
The atmosphere in Abu Dhabi is reportedly tense following Russia’s massive missile and drone strike on Tuesday, February 3.
- The Breach: President Zelenskyy accused Moscow of violating a week-long agreement with President Trump to halt strikes on energy facilities during the sub-zero winter temperatures.
- The Impact: Zelenskyy noted that the strikes “confirm that attitudes in Moscow have not changed,” even as their negotiators sit at the table.
- Trump’s Response: In Washington, President Trump acknowledged the difficulty, noting that while the truce was short, “we’ll take anything because it’s really, really cold over there.”
What’s Next?
The Abu Dhabi talks are scheduled to continue through Thursday, February 5. While the Kremlin has stated it does not plan to release a joint statement today, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hope that the move to working groups will “advance mutual understanding.”
“Ending armed conflicts… oftentimes looks totally hopeless until you have this breakthrough that sometimes is unforeseen.” — Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Feb 4, 2026.