Russia and Ukraine to hold US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi after Trump hints at peace deal

Russian and Ukrainian officials will meet Tuesday for two days of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi, their first since February, following President Donald Trump's suggestion that a broad peace deal is possible in their 4-1/2-year war. European powers including France, Germany and the European Commission will send officials, but Russia has excluded Europeans from negotiations. Ukrainian delegates will separately brief European allies on progress, with talks beginning around 0630 GMT. Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky leads Russia's delegation, joined by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Trump predicted a deal could emerge soon after meeting Putin's envoy last week, though Putin insists Ukraine surrender the entire Donbas region, which Zelenskiy has refused. A proposed deal would give Ukraine security guarantees and an EU accession roadmap, but Kyiv denies considering territorial concessions. A truce on energy strikes collapsed, and European officials have pushed back on Trump's broader security deal comments.