New directives and course toward Abu Dhabi: What Ukraine is preparing for talks with Russia

Zelenskyy said he had held several conversations today with Rustem Umerov, Servant of the People faction leader Davyd Arakhamia, as well as US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

"There is already greater readiness for the next trilateral format. Most likely, the next meeting will take place in the UAE, specifically in Abu Dhabi. We expect the format to be held in early March," Zelenskyy said.

He stressed the need to prepare a meeting at the leaders’ level, adding that such a format "can resolve many issues."

"Ultimately, leaders decide key issues, and when it comes to Russia – such a personalist regime – this is relevant even more than in other countries. The war must be ended. This is Ukraine’s position and the position of all our partners," Zelenskyy emphasized.

Russia is not ready for peace

Zelenskyy noted that there are currently no signs that Russia is ready for peace, nor any indication that Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to halt his war machine.

According to the President, pressure on Russia must continue, and sanctions must be effective in this regard.

"We are discussing with both the United States and Europe every possible format of pressure and diplomacy that could truly work. It is crucial that our partners remain sufficiently determined. Today I issued new directives to our team outlining what we must achieve," Zelenskyy said.

Talk formats in Geneva

Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said that today’s negotiations in Geneva were held in two formats — separate talks with US representatives and a trilateral meeting involving the United States and Switzerland.

"The next round is being prepared. We are working on finalizing the security parameters, economic decisions, and agreed positions that should form the basis for further arrangements. The objective is to make the next trilateral meeting involving the United States and Russia as substantive as possible," his statement said.

Umerov noted that particular attention was given to the economic track and long-term mechanisms to support Ukraine.

"Together with the Government’s economic team, including Oleksii Sobolev, and our American partners, we conducted a detailed review of the document on Ukraine’s recovery. It was agreed that our teams will continue working on further detailing the document, in particular regarding future reconstruction and the investment plan," Umerov said.

Earlier, Kremlin special envoy Kirill Dmitriev arrived in Geneva. He was seen at the Four Seasons hotel, where talks between the United States and Ukraine had taken place. Bilateral negotiations between Russian and US representatives are expected to follow.