Ukraine, US held talks in Abu Dhabi on peacekeeping mission in Donetsk region — NYT
Photo: Ukraine and the US discussed deploying peacekeepers in Donetsk region in Abu Dhabi (Getty Images)
During a meeting in Abu Dhabi, Ukrainian and US delegations discussed deploying neutral peacekeeping forces in the Russian-occupied part of Donetsk region, according to The New York Times.
According to the publication, one of the key topics at the talks between Ukraine, the US, and Russia in Abu Dhabi was the creation of a demilitarized zone in eastern Ukraine.
American and Ukrainian diplomats explored the possibility of deploying a peacekeeping contingent from neutral countries in Donbas, considered as an alternative to NATO forces, whose presence Moscow strongly opposes.
At the same time, as NYT notes, the Russian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, maintains a hardline stance on Donetsk region, insisting on the full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops.
Russia refers to the so-called "Alaska agreements," reportedly reached last summer between US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. According to Moscow, this deal would hand over to Russia all territories in the region not yet occupied. The Russian side rejects any alternatives to this scenario, although details of the "Alaska agreement" remain undisclosed.
Abu Dhabi talks
On January 23–24, a two-day round of negotiations took place in Abu Dhabi between Ukraine, the US, and Russia on ending the war.
According to an RBC-Ukraine source, the first round served as an introduction, and on Saturday the parties met in an expanded format, then split into two subgroups: one political and one military.
Significant progress was made on military issues, although no decisions were reached regarding territorial disputes.
The military subgroup advanced discussions on whether a troop withdrawal is needed, how ceasefire monitoring will operate, the creation of a center to coordinate ceasefire issues, and which countries could participate.
The subgroup agreed to prepare proposals for further ceasefire measures before the next meeting.
According to media reports, Moscow also insists that electricity generated by the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant be split between Ukraine and Russia.
Axios reports that the next round of trilateral talks with the US, Ukraine, and Russia is scheduled for February 1 in Abu Dhabi.
US officials also believe a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin could take place in the near future.
