UPDATE - Day 2 of Russia-Ukraine-US talks begins in Abu Dhabi

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS; REVISES HEADLINE, LEDE

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Day two of trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US began in the United Arab Emirates, according to state media on Saturday.

Citing a source, Russian news agency Tass reported that talks in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi in “various formats" have resumed following discussions that began on Friday.

It reported that negotiating teams are studying and discussing several documents for peace in Ukraine.

Tass reported earlier in the day that the talks will once again be held behind closed doors, as agreed upon by all three parties, adding that the issue of territories remains the "most difficult" in negotiations.

"The withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Donbas is important to Russia, and various security parameters are being considered for this purpose," it added, citing the source.

Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne also confirmed that the trilateral talks resumed, citing a source in Kyiv's delegation.

Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine's delegation, wrote on US social media platform Facebook following the first day of talks on Friday that the negotiations are focused on parameters for ending the war with "a dignified, lasting peace."

Earlier that day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists that the issue of the Donbas region would be “key” during the trilateral talks.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that efforts to resolve the conflict, which is set next month to hit the four-year mark, are “progressing.”

He further stressed the importance of implementing what he called the “Anchorage formula,” a reference to a face-to-face meeting last August between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.