Ukraine, U.S., Russia begin talks in Abu Dhabi with Donbas as key issue

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported the information.

Prior to the trilateral negotiations, President Zelenskyy held a discussion with the entire Kyiv delegation, particularly with its head Rustem Umerov, which he mentioned when speaking with journalists, reports Espreso.

"Everyone understands what needs to be done. We discussed the framework of the conversation, the topics, and the desired outcome. We also discussed the formats – they can vary, the group will be determined directly on site and will respond during the process depending on how the dialogue goes. Because this format is happening for the first time in a long period," Zelenskyy said.

"The Donbas issue is key. It will be discussed, and the modality of how the three sides see it will be discussed in Abu Dhabi today and tomorrow," Zelenskyy said.

According to him, on the eve of the negotiations, he spoke late at night and in the morning with the head of Ukraine's negotiating team, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov.

"He will work and will give me appropriate signals at each stage of various talks or agreements. We will share with you," the Ukrainian president promised.

Zelenskyy clarified that the Ukrainian delegation to the UAE also includes Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence Vadym Skibytskyi and diplomats.

Who joined the delegation

Previously, it was reported that Ukraine at the Abu Dhabi negotiations would be represented by Rustem Umerov, Head of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov, his First Deputy Serhii Kyslytsia, Servant of the People faction leader David Arakhamia, and Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff Andrii Hnatov.

Later, a decree appeared on the president's official website, through which Zelenskyy approved the composition of the delegation. It also included Presidential Office advisor Oleksandr Bevz, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate Oleh Ivashchenko, First Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Yevhenii Ostrianskyi, and First Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Oleksandr Poklad.

The president added that the security guarantees agreement with the United States is ready for signing, though technical details still require coordination.

"The security guarantees are indeed ready, and the agreement is ready for signing. There will still be many different technical details, and based on this document, additional documents will appear. But the main, fundamental agreement on security guarantees exists. Now I am waiting for President Trump to set the date and location. We are ready to sign. I am confident that this is a historic document. Why did I mention many details? Such a document requires ratification in the U.S. Congress and in Ukraine's parliament. So there are still many steps along this path," Zelenskyy explained.

He described his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 22 in Davos as positive.

• On January 22, Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Donald Trump in Davos.