Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi bring progress on prisoners but not on peace
US envoys to visit Moscow and Dublin on Thursday for talks with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy respectively
TL;DR
- Russia and Ukraine have agreed to the "largest prisoner exchange" of the war during US-brokered talks.
- US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff led delegations aiming for a peace agreement.
- Despite optimism about the prisoner exchange and potential security guarantees, territorial disputes remain unresolved.
- Russia's official Vladimir Medinsky emphasized Moscow's demand for control over Donbas and stated Russia would only be satisfied with peace on its terms.
- Russia aims to create a new European security system, potentially echoing demands made to NATO in 2021 regarding its expansion and military presence.
- European governments sent envoys to Abu Dhabi to influence talks, but their direct participation was limited.
- US envoys plan to discuss proposals with Putin in Moscow and Zelenskyy in Dublin, seeking to involve European representatives.
- Both sides continued military actions during diplomatic efforts, with Russia launching drones and Ukraine striking a Russian port.