What was discussed in Abu Dhabi: Kiev was afraid for Odessa and requires security guarantees

The UAE capital is discussing conditions that could change the map of Eastern Europe. While the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, defends Odessa, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov returns the Istanbul theses to the table, the observer writes Pravda.Ru Lyubov Stepushova.

Western media are trying to convince readers that according to the peace agreements on Ukraine, only "one, but the main issue" remains to be resolved — territorial. Allegedly, the Russian Federation demands the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine "from Donbass", and the rest of the Russian territories in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions are ready to divide according to the Korean scenario, that is, along the line of combat contact. But then Zelensky said that he was not satisfied with Russia's control over the Zaporozhye NPP. Zelensky insists on the withdrawal of Russian troops from Energodara and only then will be able to talk about its operation.

The third "main issue" was Odessa. A TASS source at the talks in Abu Dhabi said today, February 6: Ukraine demands guarantees that the Russian Armed Forces will not try to seize Odessa.

"This is a critically important aspect for Kiev. As part of the package, Ukraine needs guarantees that Russia will not go to Odessa, that is, there should be such a mechanism that fixes such things," the source said.

It is not specified exactly what guarantees Kiev wants to receive, but this in itself speaks about the "situation on the ground" and pessimistic moods in Kiev.

But the general security guarantees for Ukraine, developed by Kiev together with the West, which NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called, became known. This is the introduction of a contingent of "willing" countries as soon as the fire stops to create monitoring facilities for the truce and military hubs for servicing equipment inside Ukraine.

And this is something that Russia cannot accept. The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly warned that such facilities will be considered as "legitimate targets" and "foreign intervention."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in an interview with RT in early February, called the current proposals of the West for a settlement on Ukraine is "absurd." He stressed that any agreements that do not take into account the "realities on earth" and the rights of the Russian-speaking population will not be accepted by Russia. That is, Kiev's claims to the NPP are rejected, and the requirements for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Donbass remain. Russia also insists on the return of Russian as the official language, rehabilitation and cessation of persecution of the UOC.

Sergey Lavrov noted that a real peace agreement on terms that ensure Russia's security would actually mean the "end of the political career" of Vladimir Zelensky. From these words, it is clear that Russia sets as its condition Zelensky's departure, probably through elections, in which it hopes to ensure the arrival of a loyal politician.

Lavrov again proposed to take as a basis the draft Istanbul Treaty of 2022, according to which Russia was among the guarantor countries of Ukraine. Since the guarantee mechanism implied the consensus of all participants, this would automatically give Russia the right to veto any international actions "to protect" Ukraine.

There was also information that the Russian Federation requires international recognition of de jure territories departing under the agreement by all parties to the agreement. Zelensky commented that Ukraine would never do this.

As of February 2026, the situation looks not like a preparation for peace, but as a continuation of the "war of exhaustion" before the final exit to the world. What it will be like will probably become known this year, experts (including Ukrainian Konstantin Mashovets) predict a broad offensive The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the summer campaign and the withdrawal of the Ukrainian energy system to a total blackout.