Russian invasion Negotiations

Report: Russia demands recognition of Donbas as Russian

During the ongoing peace talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, Russia is reportedly demanding international recognition of the entire Donbas as Russian territory. This is reported by Ekot, citing Russian state-controlled media.

Donbas consists of the partially occupied regions of Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. The information has not been confirmed by either the US or Russia.

The talks in Abu Dhabi began yesterday and so far no concrete results have been officially announced. After the first day of negotiations, Ukraine's chief negotiator Rustem Umerov said that the talks had been "productive".

Positive tone from Ukraine – Russia attacks "warmongers from Europe"

The trilateral talks with the US were "contentful and productive" during the first day, Ukraine's chief negotiator Rustem Umerov said on social media. Vladimir Putin's envoy Kirill Dmitriyev, meanwhile, describes a "positive movement forward" to the Russian press service.

What the progress could be is unclear, as Russia has not opened up to dropping any of the far-reaching demands and the airstrikes against Ukraine continue.

But according to envoy Dmitriyev, work is underway to restore the country's relationship with the United States, including in a special working group on economic issues.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is signaling that the exact opposite is required for peace. The United States can "maintain pressure on Putin" with economic sanctions, Zelensky told French television on Wednesday:

- Putin is only afraid of Trump.

Russia instead claims that European leaders are trying to disrupt the trilateral talks.

- The warmongers from Europe, from Britain, are constantly trying to disrupt this process, they are constantly trying to interfere in it, says Kirill Dmitriyev.

Finland Warns US: Avoid Talking About Article Five

Finland has urged the US not to talk about future security guarantees for Ukraine as “Article 5-like”, Politico reports. This is because such language could weaken confidence in NATO’s internal defense commitments.

The issue was raised by Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen when she met with representatives of the House of Representatives Defense Committee earlier this year, according to a cable from the US Embassy in Helsinki to Washington.

Valtonen said Russia is a long-term security threat and warned of a “weak” peace settlement in Ukraine. But she also said there should be a “firewall” between any security guarantees for Ukraine and NATO’s internal commitments and that analogies to Article 5 should not be used.