Trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia are ongoing. The talks began on January 23 and will last till January 24. Ukraine’s Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, commented on the developments of the first day.
Course of the Meeting
On January 23, Ukraine met with representatives of the United States and Russia in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main topic of the meeting was the parameters for ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
In addition to Umerov, the Ukrainian delegation included Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov, leader of the presidential faction of Verkhovna Rada Davyd Arakhamia, and First Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Serhii Kyslytsia.
The US delegation was represented by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Josh Gruenbaum, General Daniel Driscoll, and General Alexus Grynkewich. The Russian delegation included representatives of military intelligence and the armed forces.
“Following each stage, we report to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian team is acting in a coordinated manner within the framework of the tasks set by President Zelenskyy. We are ready to work in various formats depending on the course of the dialogue,” Umerov said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that it is too early to draw conclusions from the meeting. According to him, Ukraine clearly defined its positions. Zelenskyy added that Ukraine’s desire to end the war is not enough, stating that “a similar desire somehow emerges in Russia as well.”
Discussion of Donetsk and Luhansk Regions
Earlier, Zelenskyy said that during the trilateral meeting leaders are going to discuss the issue of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. “The issue of Donbas is key. It will be discussed, and discussed in the format of how all three sides see it, in Abu Dhabi today and tomorrow,” the President of Ukraine said.
Ahead of the talks in Abu Dhabi, Moscow stated that it demands Ukraine withdraw its Armed Forces from the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov did not specify what Russia means by the so-called “Anchorage formula”. He said that Moscow does not want public disclosure of the details.
Second Stage of the Trilateral Talks
The next meeting within the framework of the trilateral negotiations will take place on January 24. Two additional members will join the Ukrainian delegation: General Hnatov, Chief of the General Staff, and a representative from Defense Intelligence, Vadym Skibitskyi.
