Abu dhabi: A second round of trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US on the nearly four-year war between Moscow and Kyiv has begun in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, the latter's chief negotiator said on Wednesday.
According to Anadolu Agency, Rustem Umerov announced on the US social media platform Facebook that the negotiation process has started in a trilateral format involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia. Umerov mentioned that these talks would be followed by work in separate groups focused on specific tracks. He highlighted a planned 'follow-up joint synchronization of positions' after this work, emphasizing that they are working under the clear directives of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to achieve a dignified and lasting peace.
Umerov also stated that they keep the Head of State informed about the progress of each stage of the negotiations. The initial consultations between Russia and Ukraine took place on January 23-24 in Abu Dhabi, with the US participating.
The US delegation includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who arrived in the Emirati capital earlier on Wednesday. Both Kyiv and Washington have described the first round of talks as 'constructive,' while Moscow acknowledged that contacts have begun constructively, though significant work remains ahead.
As the second round of talks, expected to last two days, commenced, the Kremlin announced that it does not plan to release any statements today regarding the results of the negotiations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, during a press briefing, stated that the doors for a peaceful settlement remain open. However, he noted that Russia continues its 'special military operation,' a term used by Moscow to describe the ongoing conflict, set to enter its fifth year later this month, until Kyiv makes the 'appropriate decisions.'
Peskov added that Russia's position is extremely clear and well understood by both the Kyiv regime and the American negotiators, who are providing good offices in conducting the trilateral negotiations, and expressed gratitude for their efforts.