Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. to hold trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi

Russia said it would hold trilateral security talks with U.S. and Ukrainian officials in the United Arab Emirates on Friday after a “constructive and very frank” meeting among U.S. diplomats and Russian President Vladimir Putin the day before. 

Kremlin official Yuri Ushakov told reporters Friday that Russian Adm. Igor Kostyukov would lead Russia’s negotiating team during the trilateral security talks in Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, and investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev would meet separately with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. 

The Friday negotiations would be the first set of trilateral talks since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country would be represented by top adviser Rustem Umerov and his new Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov.

Mr. Ushakov said Mr. Putin was seriously interested in a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine war, but major territorial issues remain outstanding, which need to be addressed. 

“Most importantly, during these talks between our president and the Americans, it was reiterated that without resolving the territorial issue according to the formula agreed upon in Anchorage, there is no hope of achieving a long-term settlement,” he said in reference to Mr. Putin’s meeting with President Trump in Alaska last year. 

Mr. Trump met with Mr. Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, where the two reportedly finalized the terms of U.S-backed security guarantees for Kyiv. 

Mr. Zelenskyy said the Friday meeting is a step in the right direction. However, Mr. Zelenskyy, echoing the claims of Mr. Ushakov, said territorial issues remain before a lasting peace can be achieved.

Russia has repeatedly insisted that Ukraine surrender all of the territory currently occupied by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine and give up the last 20% of territory it controls in the Donetsk region. Moscow has also rejected proposals that would allow foreign troops to enter Ukraine or those that would allow Ukraine to join NATO. 

Ukraine has refused to give up large swaths of territory, arguing that its troops have fought and died to keep the land for years.