Today marks the second day of negotiations in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, between the delegations of Ukraine, the USA, and Russia. This was reported by the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, who noted that the consultations are taking place in the same formats as the day before: tripartite sessions, group work, and synchronization of the parties’ positions. The outcomes of the negotiations are expected to be announced later.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Main Details of the Negotiations
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that after the first day of negotiations, the list of disputed issues between Ukraine and Russia regarding a potential peace agreement has been significantly reduced, although the most challenging topics for discussion remain. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, described the tripartite discussions as “substantive and productive.”
“We are working in the same formats as yesterday: tripartite consultations, group work, and further synchronization of positions,” Umerov wrote on his Telegram channel, promising to provide results later.
The Ukrainian delegation includes Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, Head of the President’s Office Kyrylo Budanov, as well as Davyd Arakhamia, Serhiy Kyslytsia, Andriy Hnatov, Vadym Skibitsky, and Oleksandr Bevz. Among the American participants are Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Josh Gruenbaum, Daniel Driscoll, and General Alex Grinkevich. The Russian delegation includes high-ranking military officials.
Key Positions of the Parties and the Progress of the Negotiation Process
Following Russia’s recent massive missile strike on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced adjustments to the negotiation team’s work. For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia’s position in the negotiations remains unchanged and is “absolutely clear and well understood by both Kyiv and the American negotiators.”
The first round of tripartite negotiations between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia took place in Abu Dhabi on January 23-24. The next stage was planned for February 1, but it was postponed, and the meetings continued on February 4-5.
On January 28, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that one of the main unresolved issues remains the question of territories. Russia insists on the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from part of the Donetsk region that is still under Ukrainian control. At the same time, President Zelensky confirmed during his visit to Vilnius that Kyiv’s position on the territorial issue remains unchanged, and all parties must be ready for compromises. He also stated that bilateral security guarantees from the USA are 100% ready, and Ukraine expects their signing.
Back in December, Zelensky emphasized that the resolution of territorial issues must involve the people of Ukraine — in the format of elections or a referendum. ISW analysts note that the Kremlin continues to reject Western security guarantees for Ukraine and signals its intention to adhere to maximalist goals in the war.