As trilateral peace negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are set to resume in Abu Dhabi, both Russia and Ukraine have signaled a private readiness to compromise over the contested Donetsk region. This comes despite their publicly opposing positions, according to a U.S. official. The talks aim to address territorial disputes, security arrangements, and other critical aspects necessary for ending the ongoing war.
Publicly, Russia demands full control of the Donetsk region, while Ukraine insists on maintaining the current frontline for any settlement. However, private discussions suggest that both nations are showing some degree of flexibility. The U.S. official emphasized that resolving the territorial dispute hinges on first establishing post-war security arrangements.
The United States has been considering providing Ukraine with security guarantees similar to NATO’s Articles 4 and 5, potentially with the backing of European allies. The upcoming discussions will also see participation from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, NATO, and the European Union.
While there is hope that the Abu Dhabi meeting could renew momentum in the peace process, U.S. officials have cautioned that a final agreement is unlikely to emerge from these talks. The primary goal appears to be restarting dialogue and laying the groundwork for future negotiations.