Ukraine-Russia peace talks to continue next week

The second day of trilateral talks between Kiev, Moscow and Washington to end Russia's war in Ukraine has concluded.

Following trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, Russia and the US in Abu Dhabi, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky considers a follow-up meeting next week possible. The talks were constructive and Ukraine is ready for further discussions, Zelensky said.

The military representatives have identified a list of topics for a possible future meeting. In addition, the American side has presented formats to formalize the parameters for ending the war. Even according to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi took place in a “constructive and positive atmosphere.”

A government spokesman stated that the direct exchange focused on the unresolved issues of the peace plan proposed by the US.

According to information from negotiating circles, both sides in the conflict are so far generally satisfied with the progress of the talks. There are results, but these are announced by those responsible on the ground, TASS quoted a member of the Russian negotiating delegation as saying. Ukraine also assessed the negotiations as “positive” and “constructive,” Axios political analyst Barak Ravid wrote in X. The talks are reportedly scheduled to resume next week, DW writes.

For the first time since last year, Kiev and Moscow have held direct negotiations since Friday. With the mediation of the United States, the parties met in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, to discuss the US plan to end the war against Ukraine.

The first round of the trilateral meeting on Friday focused on conditions for ending the war, Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said, but did not provide details.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his video message this evening, said that it is too early to draw conclusions from the meeting in Abu Dhabi.