As part of ongoing efforts to foster dialogue and explore political solutions to the Ukraine crisis, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with the heads of delegations participating in the US-Russia-Ukraine trilateral talks hosted by the UAE on January 23.
The talks, which commenced in Abu Dhabi, is being attended by US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner; Igor Kostyukov, Head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces; Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Staff to the Ukrainian President; Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine; and a number of senior officials from both Russia and Ukraine.
President Al Nahyan expressed his sincere wishes for the success of the talks and for positive outcomes that contribute to ending a conflict that has persisted for years. He reaffirmed the UAE’s consistent approach of promoting constructive dialogue and supporting all efforts aimed at advancing diplomatic solutions to crises and conflicts around the world. The President added that the UAE supports all initiatives and endeavours that seek to achieve a peaceful settlement to the Ukraine crisis in a manner that serves the interests of all parties and contributes to global peace and stability.
In attendance
The meeting was attended by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President; along with a number of ministers and senior officials in the UAE. US officials said the first round of talks were productive.
However, the key sticking point remains territorial issues, including Russia’s demand that Ukraine give up 25 per cent of the Donetsk region, which Kyiv still controls.
The trilateral meeting comes following a long meeting between President Vladimir Putin and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow, which Russia described as useful.