Ukraine-Russia-US talks begin in UAE, Donbas emerges as key sticking point

US-brokered talks between Ukraine and Russia began in Abu Dhabi on Friday, the United Arab Emirates’ foreign ministry said, as Moscow reiterated its demand that Kyiv withdraw from the eastern Donbas region.

“The talks commenced today in Abu Dhabi and are scheduled to continue over two days, as part of ongoing efforts to promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis,” the UAE foreign ministry said, according to Reuters.

The high-level meeting involving the United States, Ukraine and Russia comes a day after US President Donald Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Davos, and hours after US envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

After those discussions, the Kremlin reiterated its demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the Donbas region. “Russia’s position is well known: Ukrainian armed forces must leave the territory of the Donbas,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying.

Kyiv, which controls about 20% of the eastern region, has rejected such terms as unacceptable. Zelensky has said he remains open to establishing a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control, the Associated Press reported.

Ahead of the talks, Ukraine said Russian strikes killed three people in the Kharkiv region and four others in eastern Ukraine.