Russian and Ukrainian officials met on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine, with support from the United States. These talks were initiated following recent statements by former US President Donald Trump regarding the possibility of reaching a comprehensive agreement to end the war and ensure security in Europe.
Details of the Negotiations
The Russian state news agency, RIA, reported that these talks, which will last for two days, are being held under the supervision of Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner, representatives of Trump, between the two warring parties. More than four years have passed since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and while Russian forces control about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, Moscow and Kyiv still have a significant distance regarding the terms of a possible agreement.
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Ukraine and Europe's Position
Before the main negotiations began, Rustem Umerov, the chief Ukrainian negotiator, announced that Ukrainian officials had separately met with European, NATO, and European Union representatives. He added: "We are doing everything we can to ensure that Europe is involved in this diplomatic process." France also emphasized that sustainable peace in Ukraine cannot be achieved without considering European security.
However, Russia has clearly stated that it does not see a place for Europeans in the negotiations with Ukrainians and Americans. Trump stated before the negotiations began that Washington has witnessed a "strong desire" to end the war and that both sides are "tired of the war."
Notably, Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has firmly refused to cede territories for which his forces have sacrificed lives in defense. A source in the Russian delegation stated that Russia believes the main focus of the negotiations should be on efforts to outline key elements of a new security framework for Europe post-war.
According to Ukrainian officials, Ukraine's negotiating position has been strengthened due to the recent performance of its forces on the battlefield. In his latest video address, Zelensky stated that Ukrainian forces are strengthening their negotiating position and urged Washington to encourage the Kremlin to end the war.
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