Russia and Ukraine are holding a second round of talks in Abu Dhabi, with the outcome and the specific terms still unknown at the time of reporting. The meeting follows an earlier round and comes as both sides seek to keep a channel of dialogue open.
Russian representatives said that they did not hold discussions with European countries on the sidelines of the talks. The statement points to the limits of the European role in the negotiations, which are being conducted directly between Moscow and Kyiv under the mediation context of the United Arab Emirates, where the meetings are taking place.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was satisfied with a shift in the approach of the United States, though he did not spell out the details of that change in the material available. His comments suggest that Kyiv sees a more constructive stance from Washington as the discussions continue.
Little further detail has been released about the agenda or the substance of the discussions, and no agreement has been announced. The talks are part of a wider diplomatic effort to find a path toward ending the war that Russia launched against Ukraine, a conflict that has involved European governments, the United States and other partners in support of Kyiv. Further developments are expected as the delegations continue their work.