Ukraine is running out of options, and Russia knows it

Al Jazeera reports that Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday and Wednesday, reporting an agreement on a major prisoner exchange but no progress towards ending the war.[2]The Al Jazeera opinion piece argues that Kyiv was compelled to enter the talks at the most disadvantageous moment, when it has few means to counter devastating Russian air strikes[1]. The piece notes that the author's views do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial stance.[1]According to the piece, Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia described the negotiations as among the most difficult he had participated in since 2022.[1] The same article reports that Putin aide Vladimir Medinsky said the talks had brought the two countries closer to peace.[1]The author writes that German and British leaders "are visibly changing tack"[1], and that Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested he could talk to Putin during the next G20 summit.[1]The piece also says Russia met Ukraine's push with "round-the-clock air strikes that are bringing Ukraine close to its pain barrier."[1] The author adds that the strikes have disrupted electricity and central heating supplies.[1]In separate news coverage, Al Jazeera reports that Russia is reported to have repeated uncompromising demands, including its right to control the entirety of Ukraine's Donbas region.[2]Al Jazeera also reports that Kushner said Putin had agreed to include Europe in the talks, but that Moscow on Friday afternoon stated that it has not yet agreed to include European mediators[2].