Representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the United States are meeting in the United Arab Emirates for the first direct trilateral talks since the start of the war in Ukraine. The discussions, described by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a step forward, will focus on the future of the Donbas region and potential security guarantees for Ukraine. While Russia insists on a Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas, Kyiv has rejected any deal that would require it to cede territory or compromise its security. The talks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including recent meetings between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump, and follow high-level contacts in Moscow. Both sides acknowledge that the outcome of the talks remains uncertain, but there is growing international pressure for a negotiated end to the conflict.