Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on February 1 negotiations over territorial issues with Russia cannot be resolved without direct contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as diplomatic efforts to end the war continue in the Gulf.

Speaking as Ukrainian, US and Russian officials hold talks at the Abu Dhabi meeting that kicked off on January 24, Zelenskiy argued that only a leaders-level format could address what he described as the most sensitive questions of the conflict.

“First and foremost, it is important to meet in a trilateral format (Trump, Zelenskiy, Putin),” Zelenskiy said. “At the very least, we must have the ability to engage with the head of the Russian state in some form. Without this format, our teams will not be able to agree on territorial matters.” Territory remains the central unresolved issue more than three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow claims sovereignty over four partially occupied Ukrainian regions, in addition to Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Kyiv has repeatedly ruled out recognising Russian control over any of its internationally recognised land.

Later, referring to the “painful issues” of territorial integrity included in his 20-point peace plan, Zelenskiy added: “I want to underline that I do not believe these questions can be resolved by anyone other than the heads of state.” The remarks come as diplomatic activity around a possible negotiated settlement has intensified but seem to have temporarily stalled as the two side but heads over the territorial issues.

US President Donald Trump has said he wants to bring the conflict to an end quickly, although Washington has not publicly endorsed any territorial concessions. The Kremlin has insisted that any settlement must reflect “new realities on the ground”, language widely interpreted as requiring Ukraine to cede occupied territories in Donbas. Putin has made it extremely clear he will not make any concessions on this point.

Zelenskiy’s stance on territories has been weakening since he reintroduced the idea of holding a referendum to gain a popular mandate to give away territory.

The talks now turn on the twin issues of security guarantees and territory. Putin is insisting that Bankova cede the remaining parts of Donbas the Armed Forces of Russia (AFR) does not control to Russia. Zelenskiy is insisting that he get real Article 5-like security guarantees from the US that will secure hi post-war borders.

The argument appears to turn now on the order these things are done. Zelenskiy wants the security guarantees that includes ratification by Congress that will give it the status of an international treaty before signing a peace deal. The Trump administration is reportedly insisting that Zelenskiy sign off on the peace deal before it signs the security guarantees.

Talks are due to resume on  February 4.