He noted that the negotiators informed him in detail about how the conversations took place and what specifically caused the greatest emotions and the greatest constructiveness.
“We discussed with the team the state of work on documents that are important for ending the war, as well as possible new meetings in the near future. I believe that more progress is needed. I determined for the team the framework for further dialogue and we are working on a schedule of necessary steps. We will inform our European partners about the state of negotiations and the real prospects of the entire negotiation process,” the president noted.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine needs results. He called effective security guarantees one of the most important foundations for achieving a peaceful outcome.
“Ukraine did not start this war, and it is Russia that must end the war. It is important that partners remain active, work for peace with us and accept all realistic proposals. Thanks to the United States for its willingness to help,” he concluded.
Context
The first round of negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine, the Russian Federation and the United States in Abu Dhabi took place on January 23 and 24. According to Zelensky, the parties discussed a “peace plan” of 20 points, including “problematic issues,” of which there were initially a lot, but “they became fewer.” As Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga noted, the issues of territories and the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant are the most sensitive during peace negotiations in Ukraine.
The next round of negotiations was supposed to take place on February 1, but the meeting was postponed to February 4 and 5.
On February 4, trilateral negotiations resumed in Abu Dhabi. On the first day, the meeting of the delegations of the USA, Ukraine and the Russian Federation lasted approximately five hours. According to the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov, “the work was meaningful and productive, focused on concrete steps and practical solutions.”
On February 5, the second round of two-day negotiations between the delegations of the United States, Ukraine and the aggressor country of the Russian Federation ended in the UAE. The OP called them “constructive”. On the same day, the first exchange of this year took place; 157 Ukrainians returned home.
