Ukraine-US-Russia talks reported in Abu Dhabi, Kyiv clarifies
Journalists reported start of talks in UAE (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Talks between Ukraine, United States, and Russia in Abu Dhabi have already begun. At the same time, an adviser to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained what is actually happening, Sky News reports.
The outlet emphasizes that these talks are the first direct trilateral peace negotiations since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine.
At the same time, it is noted that it remains unknown whether Ukrainian and Russian representatives are currently in the same room.
What Zelenskyy's office says
Adviser to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on communications, Dmytro Lytvyn, explained that there is no official start time for negotiations.
He noted that some teams are already on site and may be holding informal discussions, but this does not mean the official meeting has begun. Lytvyn added that partners are now often working in over-lunch or waiting formats.
Zelenskyy's adviser summarized that these are talks involving non-format participants, so they cannot be traditionally assessed as a regular political meeting with a clear framework.
Talks in Abu Dhabi
On Friday, January 23, the first trilateral meeting of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia is set to take place in Abu Dhabi. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the key issue at this meeting will be the territorial dispute over Donbas.
Yesterday, January 22, Zelenskyy held a "good" meeting with US President Donald Trump. Overall, the meeting between the two presidents lasted slightly more than an hour.
At the same time, a meeting took place in the Kremlin between US President's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Vladimir Putin. It was attended by the president's aide, Yuri Ushakov, and his special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev. The meeting lasted 3.5 hours.
Later, Russia confirmed that it would hold talks in the UAE and finalized the composition of its participants. The Russian delegation included senior officials from the Russian Defense Ministry who received instructions from the president.
The Russian side stated that without resolving the territorial issue, there can be no expectation of peace in Ukraine. Russia emphasized that it will continue fighting until a settlement is reached.
Today, January 23, Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved the composition of the Ukrainian delegation for trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi. Negotiating group of Ukraine will be led by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the Ukrainian military must leave the territory of Donbas. He called this an important condition of the Russian side.
