“Ukraine-USA-Russia talks took place in Abu Dhabi. All issues were discussed, progress was outlined. The next round is expected on February 1.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Rustem Umyerov, illustrative photo of the Ministry of Defense Source: Axios with reference to American and Ukrainian officials
Details: As Ukrainian officials told the publication, on Saturday American mediators held joint meetings with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators, and Russians and Ukrainians met directly without Americans in the room.
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American officials said that during the two days of negotiations, all issues were discussed – Russia’s territorial claims in Donbas, the dispute over the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, and what steps to de-escalate the conflict will be necessary for both sides to make it clear that the war is over and will not resume.
It is noted that Kushner, Witkoff and other members of the American delegation moved between different rooms where meetings of the Russian-Ukrainian working group were held.
“Everything was discussed. No one from either side was embarrassed by the discussions. We didn’t leave any issue out of the discussion and we didn’t have to push anyone. We saw a lot of respect in the room because they were really looking for a solution,” said one of the American officials.
At the end of the second day of negotiations, the three teams gathered together for a joint lunch.
“There was a moment when everyone looked almost like friends. I felt hope,” said the American official.
“Everything went as well as we could have expected. We are happy with where we are now,” said a second US official.
A Ukrainian official said that while “significant progress” had been made, it was still unclear whether Russian President Vladimir Putin really wanted to end the war and would give his negotiators the authority to strike a deal. “It is still too early to draw conclusions,” said the representative of Ukraine.
American officials said the meeting in Abu Dhabi was an important step on the way to the next stage of negotiations.
“We are very close to the meeting between Putin and Zelensky,” said one of the American officials.
He suggested that if the next trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi brings more progress, it could lead to a meeting of the parties in Moscow or Kyiv.
“We think these meetings should take place before the leaders’ meeting. We don’t think it’s far off. If we continue on the current path, we will get there,” the US official said.
A US official said the next round of talks is expected to take place on February 1.
What preceded: President Volodymyr Zelenskyi called the January 23-24 talks between Ukraine, the USA and the Russian Federation in Abu Dhabi constructive and announced a possible extension next week.