NYT: Ukraine, US discuss deployment of peacekeeping forces in Donetsk region in Abu Dhabi

Ukrainian and US delegations discussed the possible deployment of neutral peacekeeping forces in the occupied part of Ukraine’s Donetsk region during talks held in Abu Dhabi, The New York Times reports.

According to the newspaper, the creation of a demilitarised zone in eastern Ukraine was one of the key issues on the agenda during negotiations between Ukraine, the United States and Russia in Abu Dhabi.

American and Ukrainian diplomats explored the option of deploying a peacekeeping contingent from neutral countries in Donbas, which is seen as a potential alternative to NATO forces — the presence of which the Kremlin has opposed.

At the same time, the NYT notes that the Russian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, has taken a hardline position on the Donetsk region, demanding the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops.

Russia has referred to a so-called “Alaska agreement”, which it claims was reached last summer between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Moscow, the agreement envisages the transfer to Russian control of all territories in the region that are not yet occupied.

The Russian side has rejected any alternative scenarios that would deviate from this position, while details of the alleged “Alaska agreement” remain undisclosed.

Two-day talks involving delegations from Ukraine, the United States and Russia took place in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday.