The trilateral negotiations between Russia, the U.S., and Ukraine will continue on February 5. An unnamed Ukrainian official told Axios that the discussions were productive.
In Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, February 4, the first day of trilateral negotiations between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine regarding the end of Russia's aggressive war concluded. Consultations will continue on February 5.
An unnamed Ukrainian official told Axios that the discussions were productive. The negotiations are being held in a closed format.
The Russian delegation is headed by the Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff, Admiral Igor Kostyukov. The head of the Ukrainian delegation is Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov. The U.S. side includes U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.
According to Politico, citing Ukrainian and American officials, the central topic of discussion is the territorial issue.
Disagreements over Donbas
Representatives from Moscow and Kyiv held direct negotiations in Abu Dhabi for the first time on the plan proposed by the U.S. to end Russia's war against Ukraine on January 23 and 24.
According to sources in the negotiating circles, the parties have already agreed on several points but have not reached an agreement on territorial issues. Following the first round of negotiations, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the Donbas issue is the only one that remains unresolved. Russia demands the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas, which Kyiv rejects.
Donbas is part of Ukraine but is partially under the control of Russian forces. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the territorial issue could only be resolved in a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
