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Ukrainian and Russian officials meet for a second day in Abu Dhabi Thursday to continue US-brokered peace talks after what Kyiv’s lead negotiator described as a “productive” first day. The discussions aim to achieve practical steps toward peace and a possible prisoner exchange. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments.
Russia’s Dmitriev says progress made on Ukraine peace deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, said on Thursday that there had been progress in talks on a Ukraine peace deal.
"There is definitely progress, things are moving forward in a good, positive direction," Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev told state media.
Ukraine, Russia start second day of peace talks in Abu Dhabi
Ukraine and Russia on Thursday started a second day of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi to discuss how to end their four-year-old war, top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said.
"The second day of negotiations in Abu Dhabi has begun," Umerov said on the Telegram app. "We are working in the same formats as yesterday: trilateral consultations, group work and further synchronisation of positions."
Russia attacked railway infrastructure in Ukraine’s Sumy region, deputy PM says
Russia carried out a "massive" drone attack on railway infrastructure in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said on Thursday.
The railway’s energy infrastructure was also targeted, Kuleba said on the Telegram messaging app, posting photos of damaged railway cars.
"The enemy is trying to stop train traffic," Kuleba said, describing the attack as "another act of terrorism" against Ukrainian logistics.
Polish PM Tusk begins visit to Ukraine
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has begun a visit to Ukraine, his office said on Thursday on X.
This week Tusk said that he plans to visit Kyiv, together with Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski, who is preparing an international conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine after the end of the war.
Two people hurt in Russian overnight drone on Kyiv, mayor says
Two people were hurt in a Russian overnight drone attack in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Klitschko said the attack caused damage in residential buildings in one district, and in another debris fell on the roof of an office building, causing a fire.
Ukraine, Russia, US to start second day of war talks
Ukraine, Russia and the United States will start a second day of talks in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, seeking to end Moscow’s nearly four-year invasion.
The US-mediated talks are the latest chapter in the so far unsuccessful diplomatic effort to halt the war triggered by Russia’s full-scale offensive in February 2022.
A first day of trilateral talks in the Emirati capital on Wednesday concluded with Kyiv describing the negotiations as "substantive and productive", though there was no apparent breakthrough.
Welcome to the FRANCE 24 live blog covering the war in Ukraine and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
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Ukrainian and Russian officials concluded a “productive” first day of new US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Kyiv’s lead negotiator said.
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French President Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic adviser visited the Kremlin on Wednesday to meet with Russian officials.
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Around 55,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, adding a "great number" were also missing in action.
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Ukraine’s energy minister warned households on Wednesday that planned blackouts could worsen in the coming days and that Russian forces could launch a new air attack to further disable power and heating networks.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AFP and AP)
