Russia, Ukraine to discuss territory as Trump says both sides 'want to make a deal'

The U.S., Russia and Ukraine are gathering successful Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to sermon 1 of the large sticking points stopping a woody to extremity the astir four-year war: territorial disputes. The talks successful Abu Dhabi are the archetypal trilateral talks since 2022.

The trilateral sit-down comes aft Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's gathering with Trump successful Davos and Russian President Vladimir Putin's gathering with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Witkoff and Kushner traveled to the UAE for the talks aft their gathering with Putin successful Moscow connected Thursday.

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President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receives the heads of delegations participating successful the UAE-hosted trilateral talks involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine connected Jan. 23, 2026.  (Hamad Al Kaabi/UAE Presidential Court/Handout via Reuters)

Zelenskyy and Putin are nether expanding unit to scope a bid woody arsenic the 4th day of Moscow's penetration approaches and President Donald Trump pushes to extremity the war.

While Russia has demanded Ukraine cede the Donbas, Zelenskyy has stood steadfast successful his absorption to making onshore concessions, though the discussions successful Abu Dhabi suggest that helium could beryllium acceptable to negotiate. Putin is demanding Ukraine surrender the 20% it holds of the Donetsk portion of the Donbas, according to Reuters.

The U.S., Ukraine and Russia are holding the archetypal trilateral gathering successful years. (Sputnik/Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool via Reuters; Denis Balibouse/Reuters; Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters)

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"The question of Donbas is key. It volition beryllium discussed however the 3 sides... spot this successful Abu Dhabi contiguous and tomorrow," Zelenskyy told reporters via WhatsApp, according to Reuters. The outlet added that an adjutant for Zelenskyy said the talks are expected to proceed Saturday.

The envoys are gathering arsenic Ukrainians look below-freezing temperatures aft Russian strikes damaged the country's powerfulness supply.

Maxim Timchenko, the caput of Ukraine's apical backstage powerfulness producer, told Reuters that the concern was nearing a "humanitarian catastrophe."

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy person some met separately with President Donald Trump. Despite a bid woody statement being close, territorial disputes remain, Zelenskyy said.   (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP; Christian Bruna/Getty)

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While speaking with reporters connected Air Force One, Trump was asked if the trilateral gathering could pb to 1 with himself, Putin and Zelenskyy. He would not perpetrate but said that "any clip we meet, it's good." He besides expressed doubts astir whether Putin wanted to instrumentality implicit each of Ukraine.

"What's happened present is determination were times erstwhile Putin didn't privation to marque a deal, times erstwhile Zelensky didn't privation to marque a deal, and it was other times. Now, I deliberation they some privation to marque a deal. We'll find out," Trump said.

The president besides acknowledged that the topics of the discussions that were happening had been debated for months.