“Constructive” talks in Abu Dhabi are over

TT

Updated 15.28 | Published 14.43

 

Rustem Umerov led the Ukrainian delegation in Abu Dhabi. Archive photo. Photo: Markus Schreiber/AP/TT

The trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US in Abu Dhabi have ended, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj says.

“We discussed many things and the talks were constructive,” the Ukrainian president writes.

Before the talks, Zelenskyj described them as the first trilateral meeting since Russia’s invasion and he stated that a draft peace agreement was “almost, almost” ready.

Neither he nor any other party is providing any information about this now. Zelenskyj writes on social media that he “appreciates the US’s awareness of the need for American monitoring of the peace process.”

According to the Ukrainian president, all delegations should report to their respective governments before further steps are taken. The Ukrainian military has “identified a list of issues that can be raised at the next meeting,” he writes – but a new meeting can only take place “if all parties are ready to move forward.”

“I look forward to the report of our delegation,” Zelensky continues.

Russian state-run Tass reports, citing sources, that the talks “ended without results” but that consultations will continue in the coming days.

Axios news site reporter Barak Ravid writes on X that the talks were “constructive” and in a “positive” spirit. Citing sources, he also writes that new talks could take place in Abu Dhabi “next week,” which is also reported by sources to AFP.

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner participated in the talks on Friday, but handed over responsibility to others in the delegation on Saturday, to instead travel to Israel for talks on Gaza, reports the Jerusalem Post.