US official says Russia and Ukraine show flexibility on territory ahead of Abu Dhabi talks

Russia and Ukraine are privately showing flexibility on potential territorial exchanges ahead of US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi this week, a US official said Monday, as President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to end the conflict. The official said security guarantees for Ukraine, including a possible NATO-style Article 5 defense, will be a major topic. Any territorial agreement would likely come at the end of negotiations after other items, such as postwar security architecture, are settled. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will lead the two-day talks, with possible travel to Russia afterward to meet Vladimir Putin. The official expressed cautious optimism, noting "real desire on the Russian side to finish."