Zelenskyy rules out ceding Donbas as Ukraine-Russia talks begin in Abu Dhabi

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated he will not cede the Donbas region in peace negotiations, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin would interpret such a concession as an invitation to further occupation. New trilateral talks between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the US, are taking place in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The agenda includes a path to peace and security guarantees for both nations, with Ukraine and the US also holding separate discussions with European countries and EU representatives. US President Donald Trump told CBS News he believes a peace deal will happen, though it may result in a "slightly different form" of Ukraine. Zelenskyy emphasized that Europe must play a larger role in negotiations, stating it is unthinkable to discuss security guarantees without European involvement.