Abu dhabi: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that his country's negotiating team is en route to the United Arab Emirates for the second round of trilateral peace talks involving Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington later this week. In a video address, Zelenskyy emphasized the ongoing collaboration with the United States to amplify efforts towards peace as the Russia-Ukraine conflict approaches its fifth anniversary.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian delegation is already traveling, with meetings scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. These discussions will occur not only in a trilateral setting but also as bilateral talks between Ukraine and the United States. He highlighted unresolved issues and underscored the need for additional work, particularly in securing guarantees and planning Ukraine's post-war recovery.

Zelenskyy stressed the importance of U.S. support in maintaining dialogue opportunities and engaging with Russia to prevent disruptions caused by military actions. The initial round of trilateral discussions was held in Abu Dhabi on January 23-24, which both Kyiv and Washington labeled as constructive. Russia also acknowledged the constructive nature of the talks but noted the significant work still required.

Earlier, Zelenskyy met with Ukraine's negotiating team, approving frameworks and outlining specific tasks for the upcoming discussions. He expressed optimism about achieving a dignified and lasting peace, with expectations for decisive support from the American side. Zelenskyy also mentioned the positive impact of recent de-escalation measures, including an energy ceasefire initiated at the request of former U.S. President Donald Trump, which aimed to halt Russian strikes due to cold weather conditions.