Talks Held in Abu Dhabi
The second day of direct talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia concluded in Abu Dhabi. These are the first trilateral discussions since the full-scale invasion began. The parties have agreed to continue the dialogue soon, indicating a potential for further negotiations.
The closed-door meeting lasted over three hours, beginning on January 23. The Ukrainian delegation is led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a key topic was the territorial issue, specifically the situation in Donbas. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian side views the withdrawal of Ukrainian military forces from Donbas as an important condition for further progress.
Next Steps
A subsequent round of talks could occur as early as next week. Russian media, citing sources, report that the results of the Abu Dhabi meeting have not gone unnoticed, although details remain undisclosed. The participants are representatives from Ukraine, the US, and Russia. The Ukrainian delegation is led by Rustem Umerov, with Diana Davitian serving as press secretary. Barak Ravid, a journalist for Axios, also participated in covering the events.
These negotiations are significant as they represent a rare diplomatic opening amidst ongoing hostilities. The involvement of the United States underscores its commitment to seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Future meetings could prove decisive in shaping the trajectory of the war and Ukraine's political course.