A US government source told Reuters that Russia and Ukraine are showing some flexibility in closed talks regarding the possibility of exchanging territory ahead of the talks that began in Abu Dhabi.
He added that security guarantees for Ukraine will be a central topic of discussion, including the possibility of providing Kiev with protection similar to that stipulated in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty on Mutual Defense. The same source suggested that any agreement on the territories will probably only be reached in the final stages of the negotiations, after agreement has been reached on additional issues, including the structure of the security guarantees that will apply after the end of the war.
He noted that the American side remains cautiously optimistic about the possibility of achieving progress. "For the first time, I feel we are seeing a sincere desire on the part of Russia to end the war," he said.