Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sunday that a U.S. security guarantees document for Ukraine is "100% ready" to be signed, following two days of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia. Meanwhile, negotiators agreed to reconvene on February 1 to continue discussions on ending the nearly four-year conflict.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The talks, held in the United Arab Emirates, marked the first trilateral format in "quite a long while," according to Zelenskyy, and included both political and military representatives from all three nations. The discussions covered security-related issues, including potential U.S. monitoring and oversight, as well as economic and military matters.
Zelenskyy described the negotiations as "constructive," though he acknowledged fundamental differences between Ukrainian and Russian positions, particularly on territorial integrity. Moscow has insisted that Kyiv withdraw troops from annexed eastern regions as a precondition for peace, while Ukraine maintains its stance on territorial sovereignty.
Deeper Dive & Context
U.S. and Russian Perspectives
U.S. officials, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday to discuss a potential settlement. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the talks as "extremely frank" and emphasized that resolving territorial disputes—based on a formula agreed upon in Anchorage—was essential for a lasting peace.
Ukraine’s Stance
Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to joining the European Union by 2027, framing it as an "economic security guarantee." He also noted that the U.S. is seeking a compromise but stressed that "all sides must be ready for compromise." The next round of talks is scheduled for February 1, with delegations set to report back to their capitals before further coordination.
Key Challenges
The primary obstacle remains territorial disputes, with Russia demanding concessions in eastern Ukraine and Ukraine refusing to cede sovereignty. The Abu Dhabi talks aimed to establish parameters for ending the war, though no immediate breakthroughs were reported. The U.S. security agreement, once signed, would require ratification by both the U.S. Congress and the Ukrainian parliament.