Ukraine-Russia talks: how close is a peace deal and what does each side want?

"Senior Ukrainian and Russian officials are due to meet in Abu Dhabi for a second round of talks brokered by the Trump administration. The two-day talks are expected to mirror last month's format, with negotiators from Washington, Kyiv and Moscow in attendance. Donald Trump has struck an upbeat tone in recent weeks, saying that an end to the four-year war is within reach. However, Moscow and Kyiv have tempered expectations, playing down the prospects of an immediate breakthrough."

"A viable path to peace remains complicated, with Moscow continuing to press maximalist territorial demands on Ukraine. The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said last week that negotiations were hinging on a single, highly contentious issue: land. The Kremlin has repeatedly stated that any peace deal must have Ukraine cede the entire eastern Donbas region, including areas still under Ukrainian control."

"Kyiv has rejected those terms, though Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is willing to consider alternative arrangements, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from parts of the east and the establishment of a demilitarised zone. US officials have been pressuring Ukraine to give up Donbas, promising security guarantees only if Kyiv first agrees to territorial concessions. Even if some compromise were reached on territory, other obstacles would remain."

Senior Ukrainian and Russian officials will meet in Abu Dhabi for a second round of US-brokered talks. Donald Trump has expressed optimism that an end to the four-year war is within reach, but Moscow and Kyiv have played down prospects of an immediate breakthrough. Russia resumed bombing Kyiv days after claimed pauses. The central sticking point is territory: the Kremlin demands Ukraine cede the entire eastern Donbas, including areas still under Ukrainian control. Kyiv has rejected those terms, though President Zelenskyy is open to troop withdrawals and a demilitarised zone. US officials have pressed Ukraine to concede Donbas in exchange for security guarantees. Moscow rejects European troops on Ukrainian soil and wants strict limits on Ukraine's military.

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