Donbas to be discussed at trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi — Zelenskyy
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 22, 2026 (Photo: REUTERS/Romina Amato)
Donbas will be discussed in trilateral negotiations in the UAE on Jan. 22–23, and will remain a key issue in peace talks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters, Interfax-Ukraine wrote on Jan. 23.
“The issue of Donbas is key," Zelenskyy said.
"It will be discussed — and discussed in the format of how all three sides see it. In Abu Dhabi, today and tomorrow.”
He added that Rustem Umerov, who is leading the Ukrainian delegation, is keeping him informed about the progress of the negotiations.
The first trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia is scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates on Jan. 23–24.
On Jan. 22, Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian delegation will include:
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Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council
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Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Presidential Office
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Serhii Kyslytsia, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Office
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David Arakhamia, Head of the Servant of the People parliamentary party
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Andrii Hnatov, AFU Chief of the General Staff.
Russian presidential aide Yurii Ushakov previously said that Russia will send representatives of its Ministry of Defense, with the delegation led by Igor Kostyukov, chief of Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU). According to Ushakov, the sides will discuss “territorial issues.”
The Financial Times reported that the United States and Ukraine may propose an energy-sector ceasefire as part of the negotiations.
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