The American representative, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that during the two-day talks there was a constructive atmosphere. As he said, both sides showed mutual respect and a real willingness to find solutions. He added that a detailed elaboration of the disputed issues was entered into, and that it is expected that the next meeting will be a step closer to finalizing the agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also assessed today’s talks between the Ukrainian, Russian and American delegations in Abu Dhabi as constructive. He pointed out that numerous topics were discussed and that it is important that the dialogue was conducted in a constructive tone.
Meanwhile, Kiev is under increasing pressure from the administration of US President Donald Trump to make certain concessions in order to reach a peaceful solution to the war that began with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The contacts represent the first known direct talks between Moscow and Kiev about the US plan to end the conflict, which is estimated to have killed tens of thousands of people.
According to available information, the negotiations have stalled due to territorial issues. Ahead of the first round of talks, the Kremlin reiterated its demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the Donbass, an industrial and mining region in eastern Ukraine that is mostly controlled by Russian forces. On the ground, the Ukrainian army has been retreating for almost two years in the face of a more numerous and better-equipped opponent, while Kiev is largely dependent on financial and military aid from the West.
On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelensky stated that he received an agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine from Donald Trump, which still needs to be finally agreed upon. He also stated that the issue of security conditions for ending the war was raised by the American side during the talks in Abu Dhabi.
The negotiations are taking place without the participation of the countries of the European Union and far from the European continent, which causes concern in Brussels. Some EU members fear that Washington could pressure Kiev to accept a solution that would be too favorable for Moscow. Russia, on the other hand, has for a long time criticized any, as it claims, European interference in the negotiation process.
(Vijesti.ba)
