Abu Dhabi Negotiations
On February 4, a Ukrainian delegation engaged in trilateral talks with representatives from the United States and the Russian Federation in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The discussions were conducted through a combination of joint meetings and separate working groups. The Ukrainian delegation is now preparing a report for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
This meeting in Abu Dhabi marks a new phase in the negotiation process, which was previously announced by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council and head of the Ukrainian negotiation group. Umerov stated that the talks would proceed within the directives set by President Zelenskyy. He also outlined that the delegations' work would be organized into separate thematic groups, followed by a subsequent joint session to synchronize positions.
Delegation Members
The Ukrainian delegation consisted of the following members:
- Kyrylo Budanov
- David Arakhamia
- Sergiy Kyslytsya
- Andriy Gnatov
- Vadym Skibitskyi
- Oleksandr Bevz
The American side participating in the consultations included:
- Steve Witkoff
- Jared Kushner
- Josh Gruenbaum
- Daniel Driscoll
- General Alex Grinkevich
The Russian side was represented at a high military level.
Prior to the talks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the Ukrainian negotiation group, during which the topic of an energy-related ceasefire with Russia was discussed. Rustem Umerov confirmed that he would keep the president informed on the progress of each stage of the negotiations.
These talks in Abu Dhabi occur against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, highlighting the critical importance of international support and diplomatic initiatives. The involvement of US representatives underscores their active role in attempts to foster stability in the region. A key topic of the negotiations was the prospect of an energy ceasefire, a measure that could significantly impact Ukraine's energy security and that of the wider region.