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Diplomatic discussions with American, Moscow, and Ukrainian delegates began in Abu Dhabi this week, marking the latest stage in initiatives to broker a resolution to end the protracted war in Ukraine.

High-Level Delegates and Opening Discussions

US Army official Dan Driscoll apparently met with a Russian delegation on the eve of the talks, with dialog continuing into Tuesday.

“Discussions are progressing positively and we maintain hope. The Secretary remains in close coordination with the administration throughout these proceedings,” an official representative remarked.

The Ukrainian military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, was also expected to participate in the meetings, though the exact format was uncertain whether direct talks with Moscow’s representatives would take place or if separate one-on-one meetings would be conducted.

Identity of the Moscow group was not immediately clear. “No comment is available. We are following the media reports,” a Russian spokesperson told state media.

Context and Updated Proposal

The current talks come after prior discussions in Switzerland where American and Kyiv officials revised a preliminary US plan for resolving the conflict.

Moscow has not yet accepted the latest draft of the proposal and is not expected to agree to many of the Kyiv amendments.

Moscow’s foreign minister, the Russian diplomat, emphasized that any modified agreement must embody the “intent and text” of what was discussed during previous summit talks between both nations.

Global Responses and Apprehensions

EU officials are apparently finding it difficult to remain involved in the process as US officials drive the efforts.

The Finnish president, Alexander Stubb, who has emerged as a primary interlocutor between the US and EU officials, commented that the immediate future would be crucial in attempts to find a peace settlement.

He reportedly spoke with Kyiv’s leader and Nato officials, emphasizing that “The future of Ukraine is for Ukraine to decide, and while European security matters are for Europe to resolve.”

Meanwhile, the French leader, the French official, warned against a peace deal that would represent a “capitulation” for the nation.

“The current proposal indicates what Moscow might find acceptable. Does that mean that it is what must be accepted by the Ukrainians and the Europeans? Absolutely not,” he affirmed.

Details of the Initial American Proposal

The US plan was originally composed of multiple articles and was based on dialog between US and Russian representatives, with input from Ukrainian defense officials.

Key elements of the proposal reportedly included:

• The nation surrendering areas currently held by Moscow
• Further regions that might be expected to be voluntarily given up
• Limits on the scale of the military forces
• Immunity for all parties in the conflict regarding violations

Recent Events and Ongoing Challenges

The US representative allegedly traveled to Kyiv to inform the Ukrainian president on the plan and urge quick approval.

This pressure, coupled with the leaking of the proposal, apparently took by surprise Kyiv and EU officials.

The Ukrainian president reportedly that the nation was facing one of the toughest moments in its history and was being compelled to choose between “forfeiting self-respect or abandoning a crucial supporter.”

Subsequently, the US official briefed alliance ambassadors on the proposal in the capital, with one attendee describing it as “a nightmare meeting” and stating that EU officials were shocked by both the content and tone of the delivery.

The US administration later softened its stance, indicating that the 28-point proposal was an “initial basis for negotiation” rather than a definitive ultimatum.

Military Situation During Negotiations

As diplomatic talks proceed, Russian forces has maintained its regular attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Moscow’s forces allegedly launched dozens of projectiles and hundreds of unmanned aircraft at targets in and around the capital, as stated by Kyiv reports.

Zelenskyy stressed that the Kremlin must not believe it could prevail in the war while talks were underway.

“The priority is coordinated diplomatic movement among all partners, through shared endeavors. Measures against Russia need to produce tangible effects,” he stated.

Kyiv’s mayor reported that multiple people had been fatally injured in the overnight attack on the capital.