Zelensky Demands Putin End War as Truce Talks Begin in Abu Dhabi

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a direct challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that Russia "must be ready to end the war it started," as the first day of significant peace talks in Abu Dhabi concluded. These three-way negotiations, involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, represent the first such discussions since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The talks aim to find an elusive agreement on territorial disputes, with the eastern Donbas region at the forefront of discussions, even as hostilities continue to rage on the ground.

High-Stakes Negotiations Amidst Continued Conflict

The landmark talks, held in the United Arab Emirates, are scheduled to span two days, with military intelligence officials from both Moscow and Kyiv attending. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are anticipated to mediate the discussions. President Zelensky expressed cautious optimism, hoping the talks would be a "step towards ending the war." However, his recent fiery speech at Davos, where he admonished European leaders for perceived inaction against Russian aggression, suggests he harbours doubts about an imminent resolution. For its part, the Kremlin has made clear its primary condition for peace: Kyiv must relinquish control over the Donbas region. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia's demand for Ukrainian troops to withdraw from areas in the east that Russia has annexed but not fully captured, deeming it a "very important condition" for any long-term settlement, as reported by The Independent.

Donbas Region: The Central Territorial Dispute

The status of the Donbas region, encompassing Donetsk and Luhansk, is central to the negotiations. While largely occupied by Russia, control is not absolute, making it a critical point of contention. Zelensky affirmed that the talks would heavily focus on this eastern region. Russian foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov described the discussions with the US as "frank, constructive," and "fruitful," emphasizing that "a long-term settlement can't be expected without solving the territorial issue." Russia's state Tass news agency indicated that topics like buffer zones and control measures were also part of the discussions. The divergence between Kyiv's insistence on territorial integrity and Moscow's demand for the cession of Donbas highlights the immense challenges facing mediators in Abu Dhabi.

Ongoing Attacks Underscore Urgency of Peace

The backdrop to these peace talks is a grim reality of relentless conflict. Just hours before and during the first day of negotiations, Russian forces launched significant attacks on Ukrainian cities. Kharkiv, a city frequently targeted, saw a dormitory for displaced people, a hospital, and a maternity hospital struck by drones overnight, resulting in at least 11 injuries. The capital, Kyiv, also endured a "massive enemy attack," with Russian drones and a likely ballistic missile threat causing a fire in the Holosiivskyi district, killing at least one person and injuring four, two of whom were in serious condition. The attacks left parts of Kyiv without heating and running water, further demonstrating the urgent need for a resolution to the nearly four-year-old conflict, as detailed by The Independent.

Zelensky Dismisses Russian Asset Proposal

Adding another layer of complexity to the discussions, Ukrainian President Zelensky swiftly dismissed a Russian proposal regarding frozen assets. Moscow had floated the idea of utilizing nearly $5 billion of its assets, frozen in the United States, to fund the recovery of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory, particularly the Kursk region. Zelensky branded this notion as "nonsense," asserting that Kyiv would "fight" to ensure all frozen Russian assets are directed towards financing Ukraine's post-war recovery efforts. This financial contentious point further illustrates the deep ideological and practical divides between the warring nations.

International Coordination and Sanctions

Beyond the immediate peace talks, international efforts to address the conflict continue. Ukrainian President Zelensky's earlier claim that Russia relies on "critical components sourced from China, Europe, the United States, and Taiwan" for its missile production spurred a swift response from Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. Lai offered talks with Ukraine to combat sanctions-busting, reiterating Taiwan's commitment to supporting Ukraine through humanitarian aid and coordinated sanctions. Taiwan, a significant producer of semiconductors, has actively updated its export controls since 2022 to prevent high-tech goods from being used for military purposes, aligning with Western-led sanctions against Moscow, according to reports by The Independent. This international dimension underscores the broad impact of the conflict and the coordinated efforts to exert pressure on Russia.