U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported a significant decrease in the number of unresolved issues between Ukraine and Russia within the framework of negotiations for a peace agreement, although, according to him, the most complex issues remain.
This is reported by Kyiv24
“We believe we have made real progress. If you look at the list of open questions that existed at this time last year and what remains now regarding achieving a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, that list has significantly shortened. This is good news. The bad news is that the issues that remain are the most complex. Meanwhile, the war continues,” he said at a briefing.
Negotiation Process in Abu Dhabi: Key Outcomes
A new round of trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia took place in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. The Ukrainian delegation described these consultations as “substantive and productive.” In light of the recent massive missile strike by Russia on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced adjustments to the negotiating group’s work.
Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov stated that the position of the Russian Federation in the negotiations remains unchanged and is clearly understood by both Kyiv and the American mediators.
Key Discrepancies and Positions of the Parties
The first trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia since the full-scale war took place on January 23-24 in Abu Dhabi. Subsequent meetings were held on February 4 and 5. According to Marco Rubio, the main obstacle remains the issue of territories. Russia insists on the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from those areas of the Donetsk region that remain under the control of the Ukrainian state.
Ukraine’s position on territorial integrity remains unchanged. President Zelensky emphasized during his visit to Vilnius that Kyiv will not retreat on territorial issues, and all parties must be ready for compromise. He also reported that bilateral security guarantees from the U.S. are already prepared for signing.
At the same time, in December, Zelensky stressed that any potential territorial solutions must be accepted by the people of Ukraine – either through elections or a referendum.
Analysts believe that the Kremlin continues to ignore Western security guarantees for Ukraine and demonstrates intentions to adhere to its own maximalist goals in the war.