Officials from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are scheduled to hold the first trilateral meetings this Friday and Saturday in Abu Dhabi, aiming to advance efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. This development follows discussions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Trilateral Talks to Address Security and Recovery
President Zelenskyy announced that the terms for security guarantees for Ukraine have been finalized, and an agreement on economic recovery after the war is nearly complete. These elements are central to Kyiv’s proposals, which aim to counter earlier US plans perceived as favoring Moscow. The upcoming talks in Abu Dhabi will mark the first time representatives from all three countries convene together.
Statements from Key Leaders
Zelenskyy described the scheduled trilateral meetings as a positive step, while the US President characterized his recent meeting with Zelenskyy as “good,” noting that resolving the conflict remains an ongoing process. There has been no immediate response from Russia regarding the proposed talks.
US envoy Steve Witkoff, speaking at the World Economic Forum, indicated that significant progress has been made in the negotiations, with only one major issue remaining unresolved. He expressed optimism that if both sides are willing, a solution is achievable. Witkoff and Jared Kushner subsequently traveled to Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin before proceeding to Abu Dhabi for continued talks, including military-to-military working groups.
Background and Context
During his meeting with Zelenskyy, President Trump emphasized the need to end the war, and Zelenskyy called their discussions “productive and substantive.” Zelenskyy also urged that Russian President Putin face international prosecution and criticized European allies for not utilizing frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s defense.
While the exact remaining issue in the negotiations is unclear, Zelenskyy previously highlighted two main points: the future status of territories captured by Russia and control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian occupation.
Continued Challenges and Support
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged Trump’s efforts but stressed the ongoing need for military support to Ukraine amid continued Russian attacks, which have recently caused widespread power outages and left many buildings without heating during sub-zero temperatures. A recent Russian drone strike in Odesa resulted in civilian casualties, including a 17-year-old.
As the trilateral talks proceed, diplomatic efforts continue alongside the realities of conflict on the ground, underscoring the complexity of achieving a lasting resolution.
