UPDATE - Zelenskyy says next trilateral Ukraine peace talks ‘most likely’ in Abu Dhabi

Ukrainian president says talks expected in ‘early March,’ highlights need to ‘finalize everything that has been achieved for real security guarantees,’ preparing leaders’ level meeting

ADDS BACKGROUND, UKRAINIAN NEGOTIATOR’S COMMENTS

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that the next trilateral peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US will “most likely” take place in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi.

Zelenskyy said in an evening video address that he spoke several times Thursday with Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, lawmaker Davyd Arakhamia, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, following up on their meeting in Geneva earlier in the day.

“There is already more readiness for the next trilateral format. Most likely, the next meeting will be in the (United Arab) Emirates, specifically in Abu Dhabi. We expect the format to be in early March,” he said.

He stated the need to “finalize everything that has been achieved for real security guarantees” and prepare a meeting at the level of presidents, arguing that this is the format that can resolve key issues.

Zelenskyy’s remarks come as Ukraine and the US concluded talks in Geneva.

Umerov said the negotiations paid particular attention to the economic track and long-term support mechanisms for Ukraine.

"Together with the Government’s economic team ... we conducted a detailed review of the document on Ukraine’s recovery. It was agreed that our teams will continue working on further detailing the document – in particular regarding future reconstruction and the investment plan," Umerov said on US social media company X.

He also wrote that a new round of talks are being prepared and that they are working on finalizing the "security parameters, economic decisions, and agreed positions" that should form the basis for further arrangements.

"The objective is to make the next trilateral meeting involving the United States and Russia as substantive as possible," he added.

Russian officials have not yet commented on the remarks.

Russia, Ukraine and the US previously held three rounds of peace talks -- Jan. 23-24, Feb. 4-5 and Feb. 17-18 -- the first two of which were held in the Emirati capital. The most recent round took place in Geneva.

Kaynak:

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