The Day of the Abu Dhabi Trilateral Reopening

On February 4, Russian editorial priority centered on the formal commencement of trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi involving Russia, the US, and Ukraine. Morning headlines focused on the arrival of delegations and President Trump’s public validation of Vladimir Putin’s adherence to a week-long 'energy truce,' despite the previous night’s strikes. This narrative of managed restraint shifted by early afternoon toward the deepening Moscow-Beijing axis, as state outlets highlighted Xi Jinping’s invitation for Putin to visit China, framing the partnership as a counterbalance to Western pressure. By evening, the focus transitioned to domestic economic strain and diplomatic friction. Editors highlighted the 'Samolet' developer’s request for a 50 billion ruble state bailout and the expiration of the New START nuclear treaty. While state media messaged readiness for nuclear 'countermeasures' following the treaty’s end, independent outlets emphasized the military’s loss of Starlink access and infrastructure sabotage involving fuel train derailments in Tambov.