Russia, Ukraine meet for US-backed talks in Abu Dhabi

Russian and Ukrainian officials will meet for two days of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi, their first since February, after President Donald Trump suggested a possible peace deal for the four-and-a-half-year war. European powers, including France, Germany and the European Commission, will send officials to the negotiations, but Russia insists on excluding them.

Ukrainian delegates will brief their European allies separately on the progress of the discussions. US negotiators believe a compromise on territorial issues may be possible, with both sides ceding some land, while Ukraine insists on a complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Donbas. Ukraine's recent battlefield successes have reportedly bolstered its negotiating position.

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin remains unwilling to surrender the eastern region of Donbas. The issue of territorial concessions could only be discussed at the highest level, with appropriate security guarantees for Ukraine.