Ready for real steps: Zelenskyy sets tasks for team ahead of negotiations in Abu Dhabi
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (flickr by President of Ukraine)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the Ukrainian negotiation team ahead of the new round of talks with the US and Russia in Abu Dhabi, according to the Telegram channel of the head of the Ukrainian state.
Team composition and meeting schedule
According to the president, the next rounds of negotiations are scheduled for Wednesday, February 4, and Thursday, February 5.
The meeting was attended by key members of the delegation: Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the President Sergiy Kyslytsya, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andrii Hnatov, and Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President Oleksandr Bevz. Leader of the Servant of the People faction in the Verkhovna Rada, David Arakhamia, will also participate in the negotiations.
"I outlined the scope of the discussions and specific tasks for the team. The Ukrainian delegation will also hold bilateral meetings with the American side," Zelenskyy noted.
Document on security guarantees and de-escalation
The head of state emphasized that Ukraine is ready to take concrete steps to achieve a "dignified and lasting peace."
"We believe that a bilateral document on security guarantees with the United States is ready, and we expect further substantive work on documents related to reconstruction and economic development," the president stated.
Zelenskyy also added that the energy truce, which began in the early hours of last Friday, January 30, helps build trust in the negotiation process. He expressed hope for the American side’s determination to create conditions for dialogue.
"The war needs to be ended. Thanks to everyone in the world who is helping," he concluded.
Negotiations in Abu Dhabi
On January 23 and 24, Ukraine, Russia, and the United States held the first trilateral talks. The parties did not publicly disclose the results of that meeting.
At the same time, sources from RBC-Ukraine noted that progress was recorded in the military segment. This concerned the possible disengagement of forces, mechanisms for monitoring a ceasefire, and the creation of a coordination center.
The next meeting was initially scheduled for February 1, but it was ultimately postponed.
Zelenskyy also emphasized that territorial issues can only be resolved if he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
