Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Enter Second Day in Abu Dhabi Amid Territorial Disputes

OPA WIRE, Nov 11 (OPA) — Peace negotiations between delegations from Ukraine and Russia continued in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday without an immediate breakthrough, centering on territorial disputes and security frameworks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters in Copenhagen on Tuesday that he was encouraged by what he called constructive and substantive discussions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the talks as very productive, while US envoy Jared Kushner stated that Washington had narrowed gaps between the two sides.

Territorial disagreements remained the primary obstacle. Moscow demanded that Ukrainian forces withdraw from eastern regions still under Kyiv's control. Zelenskyy accused Russian negotiators of misrepresenting battlefield gains, claiming Moscow's forces controlled half of the remaining Donbas area held by Ukraine. Kyiv challenged these assertions using video evidence, backed by NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, who confirmed that Ukrainian maps reflected the actual situation on the ground. US President Donald Trump previously suggested Ukraine might ultimately accept territorial adjustments, resulting in a different national shape.

Discussions also addressed wider European security arrangements, energy infrastructure, and potential trilateral meetings at the leadership level. Kushner outlined Washington's objective for a new security framework involving Ukraine, Russia, and Europe. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov participated in the delegation, echoing pre-2022 demands for NATO to roll back its military presence in eastern Europe. Meanwhile, European officials conducted separate consultations in Abu Dhabi but remained outside the direct trilateral talks, drawing dismissive remarks from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

While Moscow rejected an immediate ceasefire, accusing European governments of attempting to buy time for Ukrainian military recovery, humanitarian discussions progressed. Both sides evaluated proposals for a large-scale prisoner exchange involving 1,000 to 1,500 captives each. US officials are expected to travel to Russia for subsequent discussions. Humanitarian operations and prisoner swaps remain the sole tangible outcomes of the ongoing diplomatic initiative, as broader peace terms and full ceasefires remain elusive.