Territorial issue remains to be most difficult at trilateral talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi
Territorial issue remains to be most difficult at trilateral talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi
The withdrawal of the Ukrainian military from Donbass is important and various security parameters are being considered regarding this issue
The Times of Russia reports that the territorial dispute remains the most complex issue in the ongoing trilateral negotiations between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine held in Abu Dhabi, according to a source close to the discussions.
The source revealed that Russia continues to prioritize the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donbas region, calling it a central condition for progress. Various security-related parameters linked to this issue are currently under review as part of the negotiations. Despite ongoing dialogue, the territorial question remains unresolved and continues to dominate the agenda of the talks, making it the hardest point of agreement so far in this phase of diplomacy.
The discussions follow a high-level meeting on January 22, when Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and businessman Jared Kushner. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov described the four-hour talks as open, constructive, and based on mutual trust, with a strong focus on finding pathways toward a Ukrainian settlement.
As a result of that meeting, both sides agreed to establish a Russia–US–Ukraine working group on security matters, with its first session taking place in Abu Dhabi on January 23. According to Russia news sources cited by The Times of Russia, the consultations concluded on Friday, and all participating delegations are now preparing to brief their respective governments on the initial outcomes.
Although the talks have officially paused, the source confirmed that all parties agreed to continue the dialogue, signaling that negotiations remain active and ongoing. The Russian delegation is led by Igor Kostyukov, head of the Main Directorate of the Russian Army’s General Staff, while Ukraine’s negotiating team is headed by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov.
The Abu Dhabi talks mark a significant diplomatic effort involving key global powers, and The Times of Russia notes that the outcome of these discussions could play a decisive role in shaping the next stage of the Ukraine conflict and broader regional security dynamics.
