The second day of talks in Abu Dhabi was marked by unyielding territorial demands from the Russian side. According to RBK-Ukraine, citing an analytical report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Russian delegation categorically reaffirmed Moscow's positions, which extend far beyond the Donbas and, according to Ukrainian analysts, imply the complete capitulation of Ukraine. Reportedly, the Russian side effectively refused to discuss key issues necessary for ending the conflict—such as a ceasefire, territorial settlement, energy, and Black Sea security.
“Every Inch”: Medinsky’s Phrasing
According to ISW, head of the Russian delegation Vladimir Medinsky reiterated the thesis that Russia will “capture every inch of its land” and revived a formula previously voiced by Vladimir Putin in June 2025: “Where a Russian soldier's foot has stepped, that is Russia.” Institute analysts note that such statements demonstrate Moscow's approach of viewing occupied Ukrainian territories as its own spoils of war. Medinsky reportedly stated that Russia will not agree to any territorial exchanges and will continue to expand the so-called “security zone” in Ukraine—likely referring to territories in the north of the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, which the Russian side terms part of a “buffer zone.”
A Course Set in 2024
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in turn, stated that Russia will adhere to the “course” corresponding to the demands outlined by Putin in his speech at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June 2024. At that time, according to ISW, Moscow demanded that Ukraine withdraw its troops from the entire territory of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions—including areas that the Russian army has never captured. Other conditions included the so-called “demilitarization” and “denazification” of Ukraine, as well as renunciation of NATO membership. ISW emphasizes that the Kremlin has repeatedly stated that the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entirety of the Donetsk region is a necessary but insufficient condition for a peaceful settlement, and that Moscow is not abandoning its 2024 demands.
What Was Discussed and What Was Avoided
According to RBK-Ukraine sources, on the second day of the Abu Dhabi meeting, the Russian delegation refused to discuss a ceasefire, territorial issues, energy, and Black Sea security. The focus of the conversations reportedly shifted to the future European security architecture, while the war against Ukraine itself was pushed into the background. Thus, even within a formal negotiating track, key practical settlement issues remained outside the scope of discussion, according to Ukrainian sources.
Assessment by the Ukrainian Side
Member of the Ukrainian delegation Davyd Arakhamia admitted that the talks were tough due to the directives brought by the Russian side. At the same time, he noted that discussing the post-war future helped establish a dialogue and, in his estimation, created a “good momentum” to find a solution by the beginning of next year. Thus, the parties give significantly different characterizations to the outcomes of the very same meeting: the Russian delegation emphasizes the immutability of its demands, while the Ukrainian side highlights the momentum for further dialogue.
