German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged Donald Trump not to pursue a Ukraine peace deal “above Europe’s head”, as he offered to host talks with Washington on potential territorial concessions to Russia to secure a ceasefire.

The United States and Russia are holding talks in Abu Dhabi over the Ukraine conflict, according to US and UK media. Meetings aim to explore potential de-escalation measures and dialogue channels. Both sides are sending senior military and intelligence officials.

Top US negotiators vying to end the war in Ukraine met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in high-stakes talks happening as Moscow pressed battlefield advances. Russian forces advanced fast in November in eastern Ukraine,

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll held meetings with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on Monday about a proposed plan for ending the war in Ukraine, with talks to continue Tuesday, a US official told CNN. The meetings, which follow days of intense diplomatic ...