Negotiators from Russia, Ukraine and the United States met in Abu Dhabi on Friday for the first direct three-way talks aimed at advancing a peace plan pushed by US President Donald Trump to end the nearly four-year-long war in Ukraine. The discussions, hosted by the UAE, are scheduled to continue over two days as part of broader diplomatic efforts to identify a political solution to Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
The talks come after Washington circulated an initial proposal that was criticised in Kyiv and parts of western Europe for being too aligned with Russia’s position. Subsequent revisions, however, drew objections from Moscow, particularly over suggestions that European peacekeepers could be deployed in Ukraine as part of a settlement framework.
Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said the first day of discussions focused on defining parameters for ending the war and outlining the structure of future negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking ahead of the talks, stressed that territorial issues—especially Russia’s demand that Ukraine withdraw from the eastern Donbas region—remain the central obstacle to any agreement.
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Russia has reiterated that it will not abandon its demand for full Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas, where Kyiv still controls roughly 20 per cent of the territory. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described this as a “very important condition”, while Ukraine has firmly rejected such terms, calling them unacceptable.
The diplomatic push comes amid continued fighting and humanitarian strain. Russian strikes have left thousands without heating in sub-zero temperatures, with Ukrainian authorities reporting civilian deaths in the Kharkiv region and eastern Ukraine. The European Union has accused Moscow of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and has supplied generators to affected areas.
While US officials have signalled optimism, with President Trump saying both sides are close to a deal, deep divisions persist. Russian officials maintain they prefer a diplomatic resolution but warn military objectives will continue if talks fail, underscoring the fragile and uncertain path toward peace.
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