Russia refuses to discuss ceasefire with Ukraine at Abu Dhabi talks, sources say
Photo: Ukraine and Russia hold talks in Abu Dhabi (press service of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service)
During the second day of talks in Abu Dhabi, the Russian delegation refused to discuss territorial issues, a ceasefire, energy issues, or security in the Black Sea with Ukrainian representatives, an informed source told RBC-Ukraine.
According to one source, the focus of the talks shifted to strategic issues concerning the future security architecture of Europe. Meanwhile, Russia's war against Ukraine was effectively relegated to the category of tactical issues, while the Russian delegation demonstrated its unwillingness to discuss matters important to Kyiv.
According to sources, the Russians once again insisted on returning to their proposals from December 2021.
At the time, Moscow proposed enshrining so-called "security guarantees" in agreements with the United States and NATO. Its demands included halting further NATO enlargement, restricting the deployment of other NATO allies' troops in countries that joined the Alliance after 1997, and limiting military cooperation with post-Soviet states outside the Alliance, including Ukraine.
One of the sources sees the return to these proposals as Moscow's attempt to shift the negotiations toward an agreement of major powers on dividing spheres of influence.
According to the outlet's sources, the official part of the talks lasted two hours. After it ended, consultations between the delegations continued in various formats for at least another three hours.
Sources cautiously describe the overall dynamics of the negotiations as positive: they say some progress has been made, but they do not yet see any breakthroughs for Ukraine.
At the same time, one informed source told the outlet that the format of future meetings could change, as discussing Europe's future security architecture requires the direct involvement of European representatives.
During this round of talks in Abu Dhabi, European representatives did not hold direct negotiations with the Russian delegation. However, the source expects them to take part in joint talks with the Russian side at future meetings.
"One positive development is that European representatives - although it is not yet clear who they will be - will be on our side, since Europe's and Ukraine's security architectures are inseparable," one of the sources added.
In addition, the outlet's sources denied reports that the Ukrainian delegation had refused to discuss territorial issues during this round of talks. According to them, the parties did not even reach a substantive discussion on those matters.
Earlier, Western media reported that Ukraine had rejected a proposal by US representatives to change the administrative boundaries of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Abu Dhabi talks
Earlier, Davyd Arakhamia, leader of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction, said that the talks in Abu Dhabi had been tough.
He added that the format of discussions about the postwar future helped establish dialogue and made the talks more productive.
Arakhamia also stressed that there was positive momentum toward finding a solution before the beginning of next year.
Read more about the outcome of the negotiations in RBC-Ukraine's report.
