Zelenskiy says talks in UAE with Russia ‘constructive’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that the tripartite talks attended by Ukraine, Russia and the USA were “constructive” and that other meetings could be held next week.
Zelenskiy said that military representatives, who met for the second day in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, determined a list of issues to be discussed in a possible future meeting.
According to Russian state news agency TASS, citing sources close to the negotiations, the delegations returned to their hotels and it was stated that they had no plans to continue on Saturday.
The talks aim to find a way to end the war against Ukraine, which Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered almost four years ago in February 2022.
To end the violence, Russia wants Ukraine to cede territory, give up hopes of joining the NATO military alliance and give up its powerful army.
Ukraine has refused to withdraw further from areas not yet occupied by Russian military forces.
The United States, which is mediating, wants to persuade both sides to compromise.
Information leaked from the negotiations shows that both warring parties are generally satisfied with the progress of the negotiations so far.
According to TASS, a member of the Russian negotiating team said that there were results, but they would be announced by those responsible within the country.
Axios political observer Barak Ravid wrote about X that Ukraine also considered the negotiations “positive” and “constructive.”
Earlier on Saturday, Zelenskiy said Russia’s overnight wave of attacks on Ukraine was among the heaviest in weeks despite peace talks in the UAE.
Zelenskiy said in his statement on social media, “Russia launched a major attack on our regions by firing 370 warplanes and 21 different types of missiles throughout the night.” he said.
“Each such Russian attack on our energy infrastructure proves that there should be no delays in air defense procurement,” he added.
“No one can turn a blind eye to these attacks.”
with DPA
