Focus Turns to the Future of Donbas
Fresh rounds of peace talks aimed at ending Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine are continuing in Abu Dhabi, bringing together representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the United States. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said discussions are expected to centre heavily on the future of the eastern Donbas region, a key flashpoint in the nearly four-year conflict.
Zelenskyy said he has been receiving constant updates from his delegation, describing the talks as significant given how rare such trilateral meetings have been in recent years. While he stressed it was too early to draw firm conclusions, he added that Ukraine expects clear answers from Moscow, insisting Russia must show it is genuinely prepared to end the war it launched.
Moscow Pushes Territorial Demands
The White House described the talks, which began on Friday and continue into Saturday, as productive. The United Arab Emirates, acting as host, said the meetings are part of broader efforts to encourage dialogue and find political solutions to the conflict.
The Kremlin, however, offered limited detail. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from eastern Donbas remains a key condition for Russia, alongside other unresolved issues. President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said a lasting settlement would not be possible without addressing territorial questions, calling the discussions with US officials “frank” and “constructive.” Russian media reported that buffer zones and control mechanisms were also on the agenda.
Who’s at the Table — and What Comes Next
Russia’s delegation is led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov and includes senior military figures, while Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev is holding separate talks with US officials on economic matters. The US team includes Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside senior defence officials and NATO’s top military commander. Ukraine is represented by senior security and military leaders, including defence council chief Rustem Umerov.
The Abu Dhabi talks follow meetings in Moscow earlier in the week between Trump’s envoys and Putin, where the Kremlin reiterated its demand that Ukraine withdraw from territories Russia claims but does not fully control. Zelenskyy has acknowledged that the question of occupied land remains unresolved, though he said peace proposals are close to completion. He also revealed he raised the idea of a free trade zone in parts of eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control, saying it could benefit Ukrainian businesses as negotiations continue.
