Zelenskyy holds firm as Ukraine-Russia talks stall in Abu Dhabi

Negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the US resumed in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, but positions remain locked, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refusing territorial concessions. The US envoy claimed progress, but Kyiv sees no diplomatic solution. Zelenskyy stated the Ukrainian delegation lacks a mandate to discuss territory, calling any surrender of Donbas an invitation for Putin to occupy Ukraine. Russia seeks to bypass Kyiv and exclude Europeans, while dismissing a ceasefire proposal as a stalling tactic. Ukraine has gained leverage, as Russia has lost ground in Donetsk for two consecutive months and suffers record casualties. Despite Russian bombing campaigns targeting infrastructure, including bridges over the Dnipro River, there is no sign the pressure is forcing Ukrainian concessions.