There has been no breakdown in the negotiation process between Ukraine and Russia that began in late January in Abu Dhabi with U.S. involvement. The next round is scheduled for February 4–5, again in the UAE capital, Ukrainian journalist Yulia Zabelina reported, saying the meeting was pushed back by a few days due to active Iran-related talks underway in Washington.
“And still, the meeting will again be in Abu Dhabi, but that could still change. Although it would have been more advantageous for us to hold the talks in the U.S. right now,” the message said.
Zabelina added that the lineup for the new meeting will be almost the same as during the first round, and the American side will be present at these talks.
Meanwhile, the New York Times reported Sunday that the new round was delayed by a few days after U.S. negotiators met Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida the day before. Details of that meeting were not disclosed, but U.S. presidential special representative Steve Witkoff called it “productive.” He said the talks ostensibly showed Russia’s willingness to work toward peace in Ukraine.
Separately, Bloomberg reported that Moscow does not expect a breakthrough from the new talks in the UAE, as territorial issues remain unresolved.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed an agreement to continue negotiations in Abu Dhabi, with new meetings set for February 4–5. The head of state noted Kyiv’s readiness for a substantive discussion and to achieve a result that would lead to a dignified end to the war.
