Ukraine, Russia, US discuss fraught issue of territorial concessions in Abu Dhabi

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the future of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region would be a key focus as negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States meet in Abu Dhabi for talks to end Russia's nearly four-year full-scale invasion.

The UAE's foreign ministry said the talks, which commenced on Friday and were scheduled to continue Saturday, were part of efforts "to promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.'' The White House described the talks as productive.

Just hours before the three-way talks began, Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a Ukraine settlement with U.S. President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during marathon overnight talks. The Kremlin insisted that to reach a peace deal, Kyiv must withdraw its troops from the areas in the east that Russia illegally annexed but has not fully captured.

Zelenskyy said after meeting with Trump on Thursday in Davos, Switzerland, that while the future status of land in eastern Ukraine currently occupied by Russia remains unresolved, the peace proposals are ''nearly ready.''

He also reiterated his openness to establishing a free trade zone under Ukraine's control in the country's east, adding that he discussed the proposal with Trump. ''I think it will be positive for our business," Zelenskyy told reporters.

Friday is the first known time that officials from the Trump administration simultaneously met with negotiators from both Ukraine and Russia. While it's unclear how the talks will unfold and many obstacles to peace remain, some see it as a sign that the parties are making headway in closing a deal.

Speaking in his evening address to the nation late Friday, Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian delegation at the talks reported to him ''almost every hour.''

He added that it was too early to draw conclusions about Friday's talks and he would see how they go on Saturday.

"It's not just about Ukraine's desire to end this war and achieve full security — it's also about Russia somehow developing a similar desire,'' Zelenskyy said.

Kremlin insists on ‘solving territorial issue'

The Kremlin offered little detail beyond calling Friday's meeting a ''working group on security issues.''

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reaffirmed that Russia's demand for the Ukrainian troops' withdrawal from the eastern Donbas region is an ''important condition,'' adding that there are other ''nuances'' on the agenda that he wouldn't specify.

Russia's state Tass news agency reported that the discussions included possible buffer zones and control measures.

Peskov told reporters that the Russian delegation, headed by Adm. Igor Kostyukov, is comprised of military officials. Separately, Putin's envoy Kirill Dmitriev will hold talks with Witkoff on economic issues, Peskov added.

The U.S. has confirmed Witkoff and Kushner are attending the talks in Abu Dhabi along with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and NATO's top general, U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich.

The Ukrainian team includes Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine's national security and defense council; Andrii Hnatov, chief of the general staff; and Kyrylo Budanov, head of the presidential office.

Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington, Trump said the meeting went well, adding that both Putin and Zelenskyy want to reach a deal and that ''everyone's making concessions'' to try to end the war.

He said the sticking points remain the same as they've been during talks held during the past six or seven months, noting ''boundaries'' was a key issue. ''The main hold-up is the same things that's been holding it up for the last year,'' he said.

Russia's bigger army has managed to capture about 20% of Ukraine since hostilities began in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of 2022. But the battlefield gains along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line have been costly for Moscow, and the Russian economy is feeling the consequences of the war and international sanctions.

Ukraine is short of money and, despite significantly boosting its own arms manufacturing, still needs Western weaponry. It is also short-handed on the front line. Its defense minister last week reported some 200,000 troop desertions, and draft-dodging by about 2 million Ukrainians.

Zelenskyy blasts European allies

He chided Europe for being slow to act on key decisions, spending too little on defense, failing to stop Russia's ''shadow fleet'' of oil tankers that are breaking international sanctions, and balking at using its frozen assets in Europe to finance Ukraine, among other things.

''Europe looks lost,'' Zelenskyy said in his speech, urging the continent to become a global force. He contrasted Europe's response with Washington's bold steps in Venezuela and Iran.

The former comic actor referred to the movie ''Groundhog Day,'' in which the main character must relive the same day over and over again.

''Just last year, here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words: Europe needs to know how to defend itself. A year has passed. And nothing has changed. We are still in a situation where I must say the same words again,'' Zelenskyy said.

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