Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his evening address, announced that during the trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia in the United Arab Emirates, the main focus is on discussing the parameters for ending the war. However, according to the head of state, it is still too early to draw specific conclusions about the content of the negotiations.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Key Participants and Ukraine’s Position
The Ukrainian delegation at the talks includes Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov, Member of Parliament Davyd Arakhamia, and Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the UN Serhiy Kyslytsia. President Zelensky emphasized that the delegation members are in constant contact with him and report on the progress of the discussions almost every hour. The Chief of the General Staff General Hnatov and representative of the GUR Skibitsky are also expected to join the negotiations.
“It’s important because there haven’t been such trilateral formats of meetings for a long time. They are discussing the parameters for ending the war. Right now, they should at least have some answers from Russia, and the main thing is that Russia must be ready to end this war, which it itself started. Ukraine’s positions are clear. I have defined the framework for dialogue for our delegation. The delegation is constantly in touch – Rustem Umerov, Kyrylo Budanov, Davyd Arakhamia, Serhiy Kyslytsia. Tomorrow, General Hnatov, the Chief of the General Staff, and representative of the GUR Skibitsky will also join the negotiations,” said Zelensky.
Content of the Negotiations and the Parties’ Demands
The President noted that the content of the negotiations does not currently allow for final conclusions, as their progress is still ongoing. Zelensky emphasized the necessity for the initiative to end the war to come not only from Ukraine but also from Russia, which started this conflict. He pointed out that only a mutual desire for peace from both sides will allow for a result.
Earlier, Volodymyr Zelensky reported that a key issue during the negotiations in Abu Dhabi is the situation in Donbas. The negotiations are scheduled for two days – January 23 and 24.
According to information circulated by Western media, including the Financial Times, during the trilateral meeting, Ukraine and the USA may propose to Russia a cessation of shelling of Ukrainian energy infrastructure in exchange for stopping attacks on Russian oil refineries and the so-called “shadow fleet” tankers. There is currently no official confirmation of this information.
At the same time, the Kremlin stated before the start of the negotiations that their demand is the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the territory of Donbas.