Ukraine and Russia are set to hold direct talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at exploring a possible end to the war that has lasted nearly four years

The Kremlin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, confirmed the talks will get underway by the end of this weekend, but have not specified an exact location or time.

Direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev resumed a week ago after a long hiatus.

Russia is still demanding that Kiev withdraw from parts of Ukraine's eastern Donbass region, which Ukraine has repeatedly rejected.