Ukrainian, US, and Russian negotiators held talks in Abu Dhabi on Friday, marking the first known trilateral meeting since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The meeting followed lengthy discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff, which the Kremlin described as substantive but underscored that territorial disputes remain a major obstacle to peace.

Russia reiterated that it would continue military operations until an agreement is reached, while insisting Ukraine concede territory currently occupied by Russian forces.

Moscow controls about 20% of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory and continues to demand full surrender of four annexed regions it does not fully control, CNN has reported.

The talks occurred amid continued fighting and a Russian show of force, as Moscow conducted a long-range bomber patrol over the Baltic Sea during intensified diplomatic efforts.