United Arab Emirates Ukraine talks have begun in Abu Dhabi
The first direct talks between Ukraine and Russia in months have begun. This was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The negotiations mediated by the USA, which are to continue on Saturday, are taking place in the capital of the Gulf state, Abu Dhabi.
23.01.2026, 17:20
SDA
The talks are essentially about whether Ukraine will accept the Russian condition for a ceasefire and withdraw from the part of the eastern Ukrainian industrial region of Donbass still controlled by Kiev. "The issue of Donbass is a key issue," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before the negotiations. The Kremlin also named the Donbass as the most important point.
Ukraine still controls a fifth of the Donetsk region
Washington has been urging the opponents Russia and Ukraine to end the war for months. Among other things, Moscow is laying claim to the entire Donetsk region, of which it only controls just under 80 percent. Kiev rejects a voluntary withdrawal. The Donetsk region and the neighboring Luhansk region, which Russian troops control almost completely, are referred to as Donbass.
The talks are being led on the Ukrainian side by the Secretary of the Security Council, Rustem Umjerow, and the new head of the Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanow. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent the head of the Russian military intelligence service GRU, Igor Kostyukov, and other military officers to deal with security issues.
