Focus Turns to Donbas as Talks Resume
Peace negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine are set to continue on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, bringing together delegations from Ukraine, the United States and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the talks are expected to centre largely on the future of the eastern Donbas region, a key flashpoint in the nearly four-year war.
Zelenskyy described the discussions as significant, noting that such three-way meetings have been rare. He said Ukrainian officials were keeping him closely informed, adding that Kyiv was waiting to hear clear signals from Moscow. While acknowledging the importance of the moment, he cautioned that it was still too early to draw firm conclusions.
Russia Signals Territorial Demands
The talks, which began on Friday, were labelled “productive” by the White House, while the UAE said it was helping facilitate dialogue and political solutions. Moscow, however, offered limited detail. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov referred to the meetings as a “working group on security issues” and reiterated that Russia views the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from eastern Donbas as a key condition.
Russian officials also stressed that any long-term settlement would require addressing territorial questions. State media reported that discussions touched on issues such as buffer zones and mechanisms for control, underscoring how deeply contested land remains central to negotiations.
Who’s at the Table — and What Comes Next
The Abu Dhabi talks mark the first known instance of officials from the Trump administration engaging simultaneously with both Ukrainian and Russian negotiators. Russia’s delegation is led by senior military figures, while President Vladimir Putin’s economic envoy is expected to hold separate discussions with US representatives.
The American side includes senior political and military officials, alongside NATO’s top commander. Ukraine is represented by key figures from its defence and security leadership.
The talks follow a late-night meeting in Moscow earlier in the week between US envoys and Putin, where the Kremlin again insisted that territorial concessions would be necessary for peace. Zelenskyy has said discussions on occupied land remain unresolved but indicated that peace proposals are close to completion. He also revealed he raised the idea of a free trade zone in Ukrainian-controlled eastern regions with Trump, suggesting it could help boost the country’s economy.
