US official: Moscow and Kyiv ready for territorial compromises in closed-door mode

During closed-door consultations, representatives of Ukraine and Russia have demonstrated a certain readiness to seek compromise solutions on the territorial issue. At the same time, a US official assumes that a final settlement of this aspect is possible only at the final stage of the negotiation process.

Details of the non-public briefing

This information appeared in materials from the Reuters agency, which quotes a US official. He held a closed briefing for journalists before the start of negotiations in Abu Dhabi. According to the official, despite different public rhetoric, Moscow and Kyiv show flexibility regarding the status of territories in a private format.

The US official suggested that an agreement on this issue could be reached only after the parties agree on other key aspects, in particular the future security architecture in Europe.

Assessment of prospects in Washington

Washington maintains cautious optimism regarding the prospects for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. The US official emphasised a change in the mood on the Russian side:

«Уперше в мене виникло відчуття, що ми бачимо справжнє бажання російської сторони завершити війну» (For the first time, I had a feeling that we are seeing a genuine desire on the Russian side to end the war), he noted.