President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the necessity for Ukraine to receive real security guarantees following discussions with the negotiating team about the outcomes of the meeting in Abu Dhabi. According to the head of state, this is one of the key factors for reaching a peace agreement with Russia.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Ukraine’s Position on Peace Settlement
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine is not the initiator of the war, and the responsibility for its conclusion lies with the Russian Federation. He urged international partners to continue active cooperation with Ukraine to establish peace, highlighting the importance of considering realistic proposals. The president also expressed gratitude to the United States for their support.
“Ukraine needs results, and one of the most important foundations for achieving a peaceful outcome is effective security guarantees. Ukraine did not start this war, and it is Russia that must end it. It is important for partners to remain active, work for peace alongside us, and accept all realistic proposals. Thank you to the United States for their willingness to help,” said the president.
The president reported that he, along with his team, discussed progress in preparing the documents necessary to end the war, as well as the possibility of holding new meetings in the near future. Zelensky emphasized the need to achieve greater progress in negotiations, defining the framework for further dialogue and agreeing on a schedule of necessary steps. He also noted that the Ukrainian side would regularly inform European partners about the progress of negotiations and the real prospects for achieving peace.
Negotiations in Abu Dhabi and Peace Initiative
During the negotiations on February 4-5 in Abu Dhabi, the delegations of Ukraine and the United States considered the ambitious goal of concluding a peace agreement with Russia as early as March. However, according to most experts, such a timeline seems unrealistic. Among the proposals, ideas for holding elections in May were also voiced, which could coincide with a referendum on territorial issues.
At the same time, the participants in the negotiations emphasized that the timeline for signing the peace agreement could be changed, as no agreement was reached in Abu Dhabi regarding territorial issues and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Ukraine rejected the demand to withdraw its troops from the Donetsk region, which Zelensky reaffirmed. At the same time, the Ukrainian side is ready to consider alternative solutions, including the establishment of a demilitarized or special economic zone. The possibility of holding a nationwide referendum on key aspects of the agreement was also confirmed.
In January and February 2026, several rounds of negotiations took place in Abu Dhabi with the participation of the United States between Ukraine and Russia regarding the end of the war. The parties did not achieve significant breakthroughs; however, following the meeting on February 5, an agreement was reached on the first prisoner exchange in five months.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Vitkoff characterized these discussions as constructive and focused on creating conditions for lasting peace. The negotiations addressed the issue of a ceasefire. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported a reduction in the number of open questions between Ukraine and Russia regarding the peace agreement, although the most challenging issues, particularly territorial ones, remain unresolved.
Russia insists on the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from part of the Donetsk region that it does not control. Volodymyr Zelensky previously emphasized that issues of territorial changes should be decided by the citizens of Ukraine through elections or a referendum.
President Zelensky also announced plans to hold another meeting of the delegations of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia within the framework of the negotiation process, without specifying the date of the meeting.