Ukraine, Russia, US to discuss territorial concessions in Abu Dhabi

Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States will meet in Abu Dhabi on Friday to discuss the fraught issue of territorial concessions , as diplomatic efforts intensify to end Russia’s nearly four-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the future of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region would be a central focus of the talks , which come hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin held marathon overnight discussions in Moscow with envoys of US President Donald Trump on a possible peace settlement.

The Kremlin has reiterated that any agreement must include Ukraine’s withdrawal of troops from parts of eastern and southern Ukraine that Russia claims to have annexed Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson despite not fully controlling them. Russia is also seeking international recognition of its 2014 annexation of Crimea , demands Kyiv has categorically rejected.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not recognise any loss of sovereignty and reiterated that Ukraine’s internationally recognised 1991 borders remain its goal , adding that any discussion on territory must be preceded by firm security guarantees.

The territorial dispute dates back to 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea following political upheaval in Kyiv and pro-Russian separatists seized control of parts of the Donbas region. Fighting continued at low intensity for years before escalating into a full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.

Zelenskyy said he had discussed with Trump the idea of establishing a free trade zone under Ukrainian control in the country’s east, describing it as a potential boost for business.

It remains unclear whether Ukrainian and Russian delegations will meet face-to-face in Abu Dhabi. Zelenskyy said European partners would be briefed after the talks.

The Kremlin described the talks as a “working group on security issues,” with a Russian delegation led by Admiral Kostyukov, and said discussions could extend into Saturday if required.

Separately, Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev is expected to hold talks with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff on economic issues. Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said a long-term settlement would not be possible without resolving territorial questions.

During meetings in Davos, Putin reaffirmed an offer to contribute USD 1 billion from Russian assets frozen in the US to Trump’s proposed Board of Peace.

Zelenskyy described his hour-long meeting with Trump at the World Economic Forum as “productive and meaningful.” Trump said territorial boundaries remained the main sticking point.

Russia currently controls about 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory , a conflict that has strained Russia’s economy due to sanctions and left Ukraine dependent on Western military support.

Addressing the World Economic Forum, Zelenskyy criticised European allies for slow and fragmented responses, urging stronger defence measures and action against Russia.