Russia and Ukraine showing flexibility on territory, US official says
SPY•Russia and Ukraine are privately showing some flexibility on a possible territorial exchange ahead of US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi this week, a US official said. Security guarantees, including a potential NATO-style Article 5 defense for Kyiv, will also be discussed.
1. Territory and security talks
A US official said Russia and Ukraine are privately showing potential for compromise on territory ahead of two days of US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi, beginning Tuesday. Any territorial agreement would likely come after other issues, including postwar security arrangements, are agreed.
2. US mediation effort
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are to lead the talks, and could travel to Russia afterward to meet President Vladimir Putin, the official said. The official expressed cautious optimism about progress and said, “This is the first time I feel like we see real desire on the Russian side to finish.”
