• Russia remains firm on its demand for Ukraine to cede the Donbas region during ongoing talks.
• The negotiations in Abu Dhabi involve U.S. mediators and are the first direct talks since the war began.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy emphasizes that territorial integrity is crucial for any peace agreement.
• Russia has previously annexed parts of Ukraine, and the Donbas remains a contentious issue.
• The talks follow significant U.S. pressure on Ukraine to reach a peace deal amid continuing military actions.

The latest negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, being held in Abu Dhabi, center largely around territorial disputes in the Donbas region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the resolution of the Donbas issue remains pivotal, with his government firmly opposing demands for withdrawal from this eastern region. "The question of Donbas is key," Zelenskyy declared, affirming that it will be a central theme of the discussions. Moscow has reiterated its persistent demand that Ukraine cede control of this area as part of any peace deal, a stance firmly rejected by Kyiv, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Le Monde.

The talks are marked by a backdrop of military escalation, with Russian strikes causing widespread disruptions in Ukraine, leaving many residents without heating amidst freezing temperatures. The Kremlin's spokesperson stated, "Russia’s position is well known on the fact that Ukraine, Ukrainian armed forces, have to leave the territory of the Donbas," labeling this a "very important condition." This insistence has created a significant impasse in negotiations, as Ukraine still controls about 20% of the disputed region, as reported by Channel News Asia and Reuters.

As negotiations continue, reports indicate that this trilateral meeting marks the first direct talks involving U.S. involvement since the war's onset. U.S. officials, including Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, have urged both parties to reach an agreement amid increasing pressure from Western allies. Trump remarked on the possibility of a deal, stating, "I believe they're at a point now where they can come together and get a deal done," but concerns about territorial concessions remain a sticking point for Zelenskyy, highlighting the complexities involved, according to Reuters, and Le Monde.

Despite the delicate nature of these discussions, the ongoing military strategies and attacks highlight the gap between the willingness to negotiate and the realities on the ground. With Ukraine demanding strong security guarantees from Western allies to ensure any future agreement is respected, the route toward reconciliation still appears fraught, as both countries prepare for further meetings that may yet yield little progress, according to Reuters and Le Monde.