Ukraine, Russia and the US have opened new talks in Abu Dhabi, which Kyiv called "productive" despite Moscow insisting the war will end only on its terms. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned peace requires real guarantees and pressure on Russia.

On the ground in Ukraine, Russian strikes killed civilians in Donetsk and targeted energy sites amid plunging winter temperatures, leaving millions reliant on vulnerable power supplies while diplomacy inches forward.