Negotiators met in the United Arab Emirates under U.S. pressure to pursue an end to the war, but both sides signaled no shift on the future of the Donbas region.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met Friday in Abu Dhabi for renewed peace talks, but no compromise emerged on the central territorial dispute that has stalled efforts to end the nearly four-year war between the two countries.

The discussions took place as the United States continues pressing Kyiv to pursue a negotiated settlement with Moscow, which has made Ukraine’s surrender of the Donbas region a core demand, according to Reuters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said ahead of the talks that territorial control would be a defining issue in the negotiations.

“The question of Donbas is key. It will be discussed how the three sides … see this in Abu Dhabi today and tomorrow,” Zelensky said in remarks to reporters during a WhatsApp media briefing.

The talks follow Zelensky’s meeting with President Donald Trump on Thursday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Both leaders described that meeting as positive, but it produced no immediate breakthrough on ending the conflict.

According to a senior aide to Zelensky, the negotiations in the United Arab Emirates were scheduled to continue into Saturday.

The renewed diplomatic effort comes as Russia has intensified strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving parts of the country facing power and heating disruptions during subfreezing winter temperatures. Major cities, including Kyiv, have been affected by the attacks.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Friday that Moscow views Ukrainian acceptance of Russian control over the Donbas region as essential to any agreement.

“This is a very important condition,” Peskov said, underscoring Russia’s position as talks continued without visible progress on the territorial issue.