Putin's aide reveals what Russia wants to discuss at upcoming Abu Dhabi talks
Photo: Putin aide Yuri Ushakov (Getty Images)
Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, stated that the planned trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi will reportedly focus on the security of Russia and Ukraine after hostilities end.
"We need to at least move into a working mode, find some common ground, and start serious discussions... Especially since we have now raised this issue," Ushakov said.
At the same time, he noted that if representatives of European countries travel to Abu Dhabi, where discussions on Ukraine will take place, "this will not be considered their participation in the negotiations."
"If they buy plane tickets, fly to Abu Dhabi, and hang around somewhere there, then the Ukrainians themselves, and even the Americans, might occasionally brief them, consult with them, or perhaps take some of their views into account. In other words, the process could unfold in this more complicated format," Putin's aide said.
Peace talks
As a reminder, Ukraine is waiting for the United States to confirm a date for a trilateral meeting with Russia on ending the war. The peace talks are expected to take place in Abu Dhabi between November 6 and 10.
Earlier, Russia's Foreign Ministry unexpectedly announced that Abu Dhabi was not necessarily going to be the venue for negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine, despite previous statements suggesting otherwise.
Russia has also said it does not want the European Union at the negotiating table on Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the United States is considering Germany, France, and the United Kingdom as the most likely European participants in the negotiations on ending Russia's war against Ukraine. This is the so-called E3 format.
