US-brokered Russia-Ukraine talks close with no breakthrough

"Ukraine and Russia ended a second day of United States-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi without an agreement, but with the warring sides saying they were open to further dialogue, as Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure continued. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X on Saturday that bilateral discussions focused on the parameters for ending the war, as well as the security conditions required to achieve this, and that further talks could take place as early as next week."

"A UAE government statement said talks were constructive and positive, tackling outstanding elements of Washington's peace framework, with direct engagement between Ukraine and Russia, a rare event in the almost four-year-old war triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion. The initial US draft drew heavy criticism in Kyiv and Western Europe for hewing too closely to Moscow's maximalist demands and territorial ambitions, while Russia rejected revised versions over proposals for stationing European peacekeepers in Ukraine."

Ukraine and Russia ended a second day of United States-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi without reaching an agreement, but indicated openness to further negotiations. Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure cut power to about 1.2 million people amid sub-zero temperatures. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said bilateral talks focused on parameters to end the war and required security conditions, with possible follow-up next week. Delegations included Ukraine's chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, military intelligence head Kyrylo Budanov, Russian military intelligence and army representatives, and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The US draft drew criticism for favoring Moscow, while Russia insisted on Ukrainian withdrawal from parts of Donbas.

Read at www.aljazeera.com