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US-led peace talks for Russia and Ukraine will look at security guarantees for both sides
The sides are seeking mutual guarantees to deter future attacks and shape a broader European security framework, officials said.
On Tuesday, Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. negotiators begin a two-day session in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to discuss ending the nearly five-year war, with security guarantees topping the agenda.
Russian President Vladimir Putin demands Ukraine cede annexed territory and abandon NATO bids, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejects ceding land, arguing Western-backed security guarantees are essential to prevent future invasions.
While Ukraine insists European allies participate, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov dismissed the idea, stating, 'No one is going to invite them to the negotiating table,' though spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested European involvement might come later.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday Moscow and Kyiv are 'very close' to a 'big agreement' on European security, while negotiator Jared Kushner emphasized developing 'practical arrangements' to reduce future conflict risks.
Fierce fighting continues along the 1,200-kilometer front line as Zelenskyy warned last week that 'every power plant in Ukraine has been damaged,' urging allies to provide generators and air defense stockpiles.