Russia has stated that it intends to take over all the Ukrainian territories it claims and that it is not willing to give up any part of them

Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky stated on Thursday, after the second day of trilateral negotiations held in Abu Dhabi between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, that “every inch of Russian land will be recovered, one way or another.” He did not specify which territories he was referring to, while Moscow and Kyiv continue to hold opposing positions on the occupied and claimed regions.

Medinsky said that Russia and Ukraine had reached an agreement on a large-scale prisoner exchange, which could involve more than 1,000 people from each side over the next two to three weeks. Regarding the other topics, some progress was made, but the negotiations will continue.

U.S. envoy Jared Kushner described the discussions as “tough but productive” and said that territorial issues remain the main obstacle. He and Steve Witkoff are scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, followed by a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Dublin. Kyiv maintains that there is positive momentum toward finding a solution by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, attacks continued alongside the negotiations. Russia struck energy and railway infrastructure in Ukraine, while Moscow announced the interception of more than 600 Ukrainian drones. The dispute over control of the territories in Donbas remains central, with Russia demanding territorial concessions rejected by Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine-Russia negotiations, mediated by the U.S., have ended. Russia announced a major prisoner exchange, but the details will be discussed later / U.S. negotiators are heading to Moscow, then to Dublin