Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who headed the Russian delegation at the talks in Abu Dhabi, firmly outlined Moscow’s position on territorial issues after the meeting. “Every inch of our land will return to Russia,” he told journalists.
Medinsky compared Europe’s security system to a sick organism and the conflict in Ukraine to a burst abscess. “A Band-Aid will not be enough,” he said, stressing that a systemic solution, rather than partial measures, was needed.

Europe belongs in the “lobby bar”
Medinsky also criticized the European countries that held parallel meetings with the Ukrainian delegation. He said Russia had received no peace initiative from Europe and that Europeans would become full participants in the process only when their “conscience awakens.” He added ironically that they could meet in the lobby bar.
At the same time, Medinsky positively assessed the mediation efforts of U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The meeting resulted in an agreement on a major prisoner exchange.
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