Russian negotiator asserts territorial claims as Abu Dhabi peace talks commence

Trilateral talks involving delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States have resumed in Abu Dhabi to discuss potential ceasefires, security guarantees, and territorial disputes. The negotiations mark the first direct diplomatic meeting of this format since February 2026.

However, prospects for a swift compromise face severe obstacles. Following discussions on Thursday, Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky issued a firm stance on territorial claims, stating that "every centimetre of Russian land will be recovered, one way or another." Meanwhile, reports indicate Russian diplomats have floated proposals for bilateral non-aggression pacts with select NATO member states as part of a revised European security architecture.

On the ground, combat operations continue uninterrupted. Russian forces launched over 160 aerial strikes overnight, repeatedly targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure and causing widespread power outages in the Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions.

Sources: Adevărul, HotNews, Moldova1, TV8, Ziarul de Gardă.