Security guarantees and more: Zelenskyy reveals priorities for Abu Dhabi peace talks
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukraine plans to discuss security guarantees at the upcoming peace talks in Abu Dhabi. Other key issues include halting strikes on energy infrastructure, unblocking the grain corridor, exchanges of prisoners of war, and a meeting between the leaders of the countries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.
Security guarantees for Ukraine
Zelenskyy noted that the US side had already signaled its willingness to discuss "security guarantees for Ukraine." The Prosperity Package, a plan for Ukraine's recovery, will also be on the agenda.
"They are also discussing with our team the issues we want to raise at the November 10-11 meeting in Abu Dhabi. These are priority issues for us," the president said.
He outlined four priorities for peace talks that he believes should be essential for everyone.
The first is energy, namely a ceasefire and an end to strikes on energy and critical infrastructure.
Zelensky named grain and unblocking the Black Sea as the second priority, noting it serves the interests of Ukraine, Russia, countries across Africa and Asia, and Ukraine’s partners.
"Third is how Ukraine can increase the number of prisoner exchanges. Ideally, this should be an all-for-all exchange, but we must at least find a way to make exchanges and the return of our people home more frequent," the president said.
As the fourth priority, Zelenskyy named preparations for a trilateral meeting at the leaders' level, with Europe's mandatory participation.
"Here I agree with Friedrich (Merz - ed.): we share the same vision. There can be no stable and lasting peace if Europe is not involved in the negotiations in one form or another," he said.
Russia on security guarantees
Russian leader Vladimir Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that trilateral talks between Russia, the US, and Ukraine would take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on November 10-11.
According to him, the Russian delegation will be led by Putin's aide and head of the Russian Military Historical Society, Vladimir Medinsky.
"Security issues will be discussed. Issues related to security guarantees. They can only be mutual," Peskov told reporters, according to TASS.
He stressed that European representatives would not take part in the talks as the trilateral format does not provide for their participation.
"Sooner or later, of course, since the discussion will concern the security system in Europe and the future security framework, which will inevitably be an integral part of a settlement, talks with the Europeans will be necessary. The question is, with whom?" Peskov said.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that relations between Ukraine and the US remain difficult, according to Zelenskyy. He urged Washington to increase pressure on Russia, stressing that Moscow is the aggressor in the war.
In addition, the Kremlin confirmed Russia's participation in the talks on Ukraine scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11.
