Ukraine expressed outrage on Saturday following a significant Russian military strike that coincided with the second day of peace discussions between Russian
and American representatives in Abu Dhabi. The talks aim to find a resolution to the conflict that has persisted for nearly four years.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga denounced the timing of the attack, questioning the sincerity of peace initiatives while Ukrainian civilians faced what he described as another night of terror. He characterized the strike as a cynical act that undermined the America-led diplomatic process, suggesting that the assault targeted both Ukrainian people and the negotiation efforts themselves.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia deployed more than 370 attack drones and 21 missiles of various types in the overnight operation. Emergency crews worked to extinguish fires and assess damage across affected areas, including the capital.
The Abu Dhabi meetings represent the first confirmed direct engagement between Ukrainian and Russian officials regarding the US-backed peace proposal. Ukraine’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov indicated that Friday’s session examined potential frameworks for ending the conflict and establishing a roadmap for continued negotiations.
The diplomatic process has encountered challenges from multiple directions. Early American proposals faced criticism from Kyiv and Western European allies for allegedly favoring Russian positions, while subsequent versions drew objections from Moscow, particularly regarding proposals for European peacekeeping forces.
Central to the negotiations is the question of territorial control in the eastern Donbas region, which both parties acknowledge as a critical unresolved issue. The prolonged conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, forced millions to flee their homes, and caused extensive destruction across Ukrainian territory.
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