Negotiators discussed borders, buffer zones and the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant
The trilateral round of negotiations between Russia, the US and Ukraine ended in Abu Dhabi on January 24. Issues of resolving the protracted conflict were discussed. The Russian delegation was led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, the Ukrainian delegation was led by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and the head of the Presidential Office Kirill Budanov*, and the US delegation consisted of Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The second consultation day was held behind closed doors. Negotiators have considered defining borders, creating buffer zones and a ceasefire monitoring mechanism. The situation around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and the possibility of a truce in the energy sector were also discussed. For the first time in a long time, representatives of Russia and Ukraine were in direct contact without American intermediaries.
Steve Witkoff called the round “very constructive” and announced he would continue the dialogue next week. American officials expressed optimism, noting the almost friendly atmosphere during the participants' lunch together.
However, consensus could not be reached on the territorial issue: Russia asked Ukraine to withdraw all troops from Donbass but Kiev did not agree. The next phase of negotiations is scheduled to take place on February 1 in the UAE.
Experts consider the main result of the meeting to be the decision to continue dialogue. Leading researcher at MGIMO Nikolai Silaev noted the need for a detailed study of the conditions for Ukraine's withdrawal. Political scientist Andrei Kortunov called for cautious optimism, emphasizing Moscow and Kyiv's different positions on key issues.
* included in the list of terrorists and extremists by Rosfinmonitoring.
