KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Talks involving representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States concluded on Saturday following two days of discussions aimed at establishing "possible parameters" for ending the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized the discussions as "constructive" and indicated that negotiators would reconvene in the United Arab Emirates on February 1, according to a U.S. official who described the atmosphere of the meetings as upbeat and positive.
This was the first instance of officials from the Trump administration engaging in direct conversations with representatives from both countries as part of Washington's efforts to facilitate a resolution to Russia's nearly four-year-long invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy noted on Telegram that all involved parties agreed to report back to their governments regarding each aspect of the negotiations and to coordinate future steps with their respective leaders.
The discussions addressed a wide range of military and economic issues, including the potential for a ceasefire before a formal agreement is reached. However, no final framework was established for the oversight and operation of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is under Russian occupation and is the largest nuclear facility in Europe. According to the official, the power generated from the plant will be shared "on an equitable basis," but control over the facility remains a contentious topic.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of American involvement in monitoring and controlling the process of ending the war to ensure genuine security. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner participated in the meetings alongside Ukrainian officials such as chief negotiator Rustem Umerov and Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of staff to Zelenskyy. Russian representatives included military intelligence and army officials, as reported by Zelenskyy.
While Zelenskyy stated in Davos, Switzerland, that a potential peace deal was "nearly ready," some key issues, particularly those concerning territorial disputes, remain unresolved. A U.S. official indicated that further discussions would likely be required in either Russia or Ukraine before achieving a possible meeting between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, or even a joint session with President Donald Trump. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that there seemed to be growing momentum towards establishing leader-level discussions.
Just hours before the talks commenced, Putin engaged in lengthy discussions about a settlement with Witkoff and Kushner. The Kremlin maintains that Kyiv must withdraw its forces from areas in the east that Russia has illegally annexed, although it has not fully captured these regions.
The second day of negotiations coincided with a series of Russian drone attacks that resulted in one fatality and four injuries in Kyiv, as reported by Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration. In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, drone strikes injured 27 individuals, according to regional head Oleh Syniehubov.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized the timing of the attacks, stating that it was "cynical" for Putin to order a large missile strike against Ukraine while delegations were engaged in discussions in Abu Dhabi. He emphasized that the missiles not only targeted the Ukrainian people but also aimed to disrupt the negotiation efforts.
