Russia, Ukraine begin second day of talks
As the talks continued, so did the fighting.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Russia and Ukraine began a second day of talks in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, with Washington mediating as the two sides seek progress towards ending the worst conflict in Europe since World War II.
The first trilateral talks since February — when discussions ended in a stalemate and Washington shifted attention to its war with Iran — have so far been praised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He has hailed a change in approach by US mediators, led by President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and businessman envoy Steve Witkoff, though he has not yet elaborated on that change.
But the Ukrainian leader has emphasized the need for security guarantees for his country, while Europe has watched nervously after Washington said the talks would include a new security framework for the continent.
After Wednesday’s talks end, “we will hold a separate meeting with our European partners,” Kyiv’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov said on Telegram.
A source in the Ukrainian delegation told Agence France-Presse the US envoys would also join that meeting.
Kushner told delegates on Tuesday the United States had “narrowed the gaps” between the warring sides, without providing details, and hoped to move towards a “solution” to the conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Zelensky, speaking in Copenhagen on Tuesday, said his team had reported that humanitarian issues and security guarantees were among the topics discussed.