Ukraine–Russia–US Talks Begin in Abu Dhabi, Territory Emerges as Core Sticking Point

What happened:
Senior officials from Ukraine, Russia and the United States held talks in Abu Dhabi on Friday as part of a US-backed push to end the nearly four-year war. The discussions mark the first direct public negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow under an initiative driven by US President Donald Trump’s administration.

Why it matters now:
Territorial control has emerged as the central fault line in the talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said any settlement must address land disputes, while insisting that Russia must show genuine readiness to end the war it launched. Moscow, meanwhile, maintains that resolving territorial claims is essential for any long-term agreement.

What each side is saying:
Zelenskyy said he remains in constant contact with Ukraine’s delegation but cautioned that it was too early to assess the outcome. “The most important thing is that Russia should be ready to end this war,” he said, adding that conclusions could only be drawn after the second day of talks.

The Kremlin reiterated that Ukraine must cede full control of the Donbas region, including areas still held by Ukrainian forces. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described this demand as a “very important condition” for peace, while foreign affairs adviser Yury Ushakov said a durable settlement was impossible without resolving territorial issues.

What’s being discussed:
According to Russian state media, negotiators are also examining proposals for buffer zones and international monitoring mechanisms. Ukraine has countered by demanding firm security guarantees from Western allies, including the US, to prevent future Russian aggression.

Background context:
The Abu Dhabi talks come a day after Zelenskyy met Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and hours after US envoy Steve Witkoff held lengthy discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Those talks reportedly failed to bridge gaps on territory and security assurances.

Human cost continues:
Even as negotiations proceed, fighting on the ground has not stopped. Ukrainian officials reported fresh Russian strikes in the Kharkiv region and eastern Ukraine, killing civilians including a father and his young son. Ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure have caused widespread power outages during winter.

Who is at the table:
Russia’s delegation is led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov and includes senior military officials. Ukraine is represented by national security chief Rustem Umerov, armed forces chief Andrii Hnatov, and intelligence head Kyrylo Budanov. The US delegation includes Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, senior defence officials, and NATO’s top US general.