US, Russia and Ukraine wrap up Abu Dhabi talks

Russian and Ukrainian sources confirmed that the latest round of US-mediated talks on ending the war concluded in Abu Dhabi. Ukraine's negotiators will remain for separate meetings with European and US envoys following the discussions with the Russian team.

The talks occurred amid continued military actions, with Russia striking a cargo vessel in the Black Sea southwest of Odesa, claiming it was carrying weapons for Ukrainian forces. Russian drones also targeted electricity substations in Ukraine's Kryvyi Rih and Odesa regions.

Ukraine responded with a drone attack on Russia's northwestern Ust-Luga, a major oil, oil products and grain export outlet, causing a fire and power station disruption. Regional governor Aleksandr Drozdenko reported that 150 drones were shot down over the Leningrad region.

Espionage allegations

Russia announced the arrest of two individuals described as agents of the Polish secret services in the Kaliningrad region, accusing them of gathering information on military facilities. The Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea borders Poland and Lithuania.

The FSB confirmed the arrests without revealing the identities and barred entry to seven Polish citizens and three Russian nationals for alleged contacts with Polish security services. Polish authorities denounced the statements as "provocation and disinformation."

Negotiation priorities

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized the trilateral meeting as "constructive and quite substantive," mentioning discussions about "humanitarian steps." He specifically outlined work on a "large-scale exchange of prisoners," with US officials scheduled to travel to Russia for further discussions.

Russian delegate Sergei Ryabkov declined to assess progress, stating "it's too early to talk about that." The second day of talks was scheduled to begin at noon, with Russia focusing on negotiating a broad European security framework before addressing specific war details.