Abu Dhabi talks were constructive and focused on ending the war – Zelenskyy
Head of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov and US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff during talks in Abu Dhabi (Photo: Ryan Carter/UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS)
Talks in Abu Dhabi were constructive and focused primarily on possible parameters for ending the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Jan. 24.
The president said he had heard a report from the Ukrainian delegation on the talks and noted that this was the first format of its kind in quite some time — two-day, trilateral meetings.
“We managed to discuss a great deal, and it is important that the conversations were constructive,” Zelenskyy wrote.
He added that the negotiations took place with the participation of military representatives from all three sides. Ukraine was represented by Rustem Umerov, Kyrylo Budanov, Andrii Hnatov, Davyd Arakhamia, Serhii Kyslytsia and Vadym Skibitskyi. The U.S. delegation included Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Dan Driscoll, Alex Grinkevich and Josh Grunbaum. Russia was represented by members of its military intelligence and armed forces.
“The main focus of the discussions was on possible parameters for ending the war. I highly value the shared understanding of the need for American monitoring and oversight of the process of ending the war and ensuring real security. The American side raised the issue of possible formats for formalizing the parameters of ending the war and the security conditions required for that,” the Ukrainian president said.
Zelenskyy also wrote that, following the meetings, all sides agreed to report back in their capitals on each aspect of the talks and to coordinate further steps with their leaders. Military representatives identified a list of issues for a possible next meeting.
“Provided there is readiness to move forward — and Ukraine is ready — further meetings will take place, potentially as soon as next week,” Zelenskyy said.
He added that he expects a personal meeting with the delegation upon its return and thanked the United Arab Emirates and its president for mediation and readiness to host further meetings.
“Ukraine is working for peace and security. Thank you to everyone who is helping,” Zelenskyy concluded.
Earlier, Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported, citing Ukrainian officials, that the trilateral talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi were “positive” and “constructive.” According to him, the next round of talks is planned in Abu Dhabi next week.
The first trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the United States and Russia took place in the United Arab Emirates on Jan. 23. Head of the Ukrainian delegation Rustem Umerov said the sides discussed parameters for ending the war and the further logic of the negotiation process.
Zelenskyy had previously said that the key issue in the Abu Dhabi talks would be Donbas.
Earlier, on Jan. 22, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that “without resolving the territorial issue under the agreed Anchorage formula, it is not worth expecting a long-term settlement,” although no official territorial agreements were announced following the August 2025 summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said Moscow planned to discuss the so-called Anchorage formula with delegations during the talks in the UAE, but declined to specify what positions it includes.
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