No Breakthrough As Russia-Ukraine-US Talks Conclude: What We Know So Far

<p>The two-day trilateral peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States concluded on Saturday without immediate clarity on whether the negotiations made substantive progress.</p> <p>The talks, the first involving all three sides since the war began, ended amid continued hostilities, including a fresh Russian airstrike on Kyiv hours before the discussions wrapped up.</p> <h2><strong>More Talks Planned In Abu Dhabi</strong></h2> <p>According to news agency AFP, citing a source, further rounds of trilateral talks aimed at ending the prolonged conflict will continue in Abu Dhabi next week.</p> <p>The United Arab Emirates, which has hosted the current round of negotiations, said the discussions focused on unresolved elements of a US-proposed framework.</p> <p>A UAE government spokesperson told Reuters that the talks were held in a &ldquo;constructive and positive atmosphere&rdquo; and involved direct engagement between Russian and Ukrainian officials.</p> <h2><strong>Kyiv Hit By Overnight Russian Airstrike</strong></h2> <p>The diplomatic efforts unfolded against the backdrop of renewed violence. Russia launched an overnight airstrike on Kyiv that killed at least one person and injured four others, Reuters reported.</p> <p>The attack struck the city&rsquo;s power infrastructure, leaving nearly 1.2 million properties without electricity. Around 6,000 buildings were without heating on Saturday morning, as temperatures in the capital hovered around minus 10 degrees Celsius.</p> <h2><strong>High-Level US-Russia Engagement</strong></h2> <p>The trilateral talks began on Friday. Ahead of their conclusion, Russian President Vladimir Putin held marathon overnight discussions on a potential Ukraine settlement with US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, according to the Associated Press.</p> <p>During those talks, Russia reportedly reiterated its demand that Ukraine withdraw troops from eastern regions that Moscow has illegally annexed but does not fully control.</p> <h2><strong>Donbas Remains Key Sticking Point</strong></h2> <p>Russia&rsquo;s long-standing demand over Donbas remains unresolved. While the eastern Ukrainian region was expected to be a central issue in the negotiations, there has been no confirmation that the matter was settled.</p> <p>Donbas comprises the coal-rich regions of Donetsk and Luhansk and is known for its mineral resources, steel production and agricultural land. It is also connected to the Sea of Azov through river networks.</p> <p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly rejected Russia&rsquo;s claim over the territory.</p> <h2><strong>Zelensky Signals Limits To Any Deal</strong></h2> <p>Speaking earlier this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelensky said a potential peace deal was &ldquo;nearly ready&rdquo; but made clear that Ukraine would not concede territory.</p> <p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all about the eastern part of our country, it&rsquo;s all about the land,&rdquo; Zelensky was quoted as saying by CNN.</p>

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