Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the necessity of an active role for the United States in efforts to de-escalate the situation related to Russian aggression. The head of state stressed the importance of the American presence during the upcoming negotiations scheduled for next week in the United Arab Emirates.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Preparation for New Rounds of Negotiations
According to Zelensky, an agreement has been reached to hold a trilateral meeting at an appropriate level in the UAE, where further steps regarding de-escalation and the reduction of strikes on Ukraine will be discussed. The president expressed hope that the U.S. would continue to be active in the negotiations, as trust in the process and its outcomes depends on this.
“We expect that the American side will also be equally active, particularly regarding de-escalation measures – reducing strikes, and much depends on what the American side can achieve so that people trust both the process and the results, undoubtedly.”
Ukraine’s Position and Further Negotiations
Volodymyr Zelensky specifically addressed the recent Russian shelling of a bus in Dnipropetrovsk region, emphasizing that this crime once again proves Russia’s responsibility for the escalation of hostilities.
The president reminded that the next trilateral meetings in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, are scheduled for February 4 and 5. Ukraine, according to him, is ready for a “substantive conversation” and is interested in achieving a result that will lead to a just end to the war.
In January, a series of negotiations took place between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia in Abu Dhabi. However, as noted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. President’s special envoy Steve Vitkoff and Jared Kushner, who is the son-in-law of Donald Trump, will not participate in the next round. The territorial issue remains unresolved, as Russia demands the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from those areas of the Donetsk region that are still under Ukrainian control.
The next round of negotiations regarding the resolution of the war is expected to take place on February 1.