MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Europe plays a destructive role in the Abu Dhabi talks on the Ukrainian settlement amid a progress in the Russia-US dialogue, Iran ready for compromise with the US, Trump may use the talks to launch a surprise attack on Tehran; and Cuba prepares for mobilization due to US threats. These stories topped Friday’s newspaper headlines across Russia.
The second round of closed consultations on the Ukrainian settlement involving Russia, the United States and Ukraine has concluded in the UAE. The only public outcome was an agreement to exchange 314 prisoners of war – the first such step in five months. The suspension of hostilities was also discussed.
At the same time, US-Russia negotiations are being conducted behind closed doors, a factor many analysts view positively. Pavel Feldman, professor at the Russian Academy of Labor and Social Relations, told Izvestia that the silence surrounding the talks in Abu Dhabi is a good sign. "At least there are no information leaks or targeted disclosures, which the Ukrainian side previously engaged in systematically. A peace process requires silence," he stressed. Media reports also point to a behind-the-scenes compromise between Moscow and Washington on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).
