Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that recent military operations have significantly improved his country’s standing ahead of critical negotiations in Abu Dhabi. The Ukrainian leader asserted that Russian forces are experiencing unprecedented casualty rates, a claim that Moscow continues to reject. These remarks come as delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States gather in the Emirati capital for the third round of US-mediated discussions this year.
Strategic Positioning in Abu Dhabi
The talks, scheduled for Tuesday, represent a renewed effort to resolve the conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The American delegation is led by presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have been central to Washington’s diplomatic strategy. Zelenskyy emphasized that his military leadership, including General Mykhailo Drapatyi, has provided evidence of heavy Russian losses and the effectiveness of long-range strikes on Russian infrastructure, including oil facilities.
“Ukrainian forces are currently genuinely strengthening Ukraine’s negotiating position,” Zelenskyy said in a nightly address. He urged the United States to use its influence to persuade the Kremlin to halt the war, arguing that Kyiv’s actions are a justified response to Russian aggression. The Ukrainian president indicated that these military pressures are intended to demonstrate that the conflict must end.
President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the potential for a resolution. Speaking from Washington, DC, the US president described a “very strong inclination” among both sides to stop fighting. He noted that he was having productive conversations regarding the situation in Abu Dhabi, where negotiators are attempting to bridge the gap between Kyiv’s demand for a return to pre-2022 borders and Moscow’s insistence on controlling the Donbas region.
Security Guarantees and Territorial Disputes
Behind closed doors, the discussions are expected to focus heavily on post-war security arrangements. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that both nations have shown some private flexibility regarding territorial exchanges. The official highlighted that security guarantees for Ukraine will be a primary topic, with potential models resembling Article 5 of the NATO treaty under consideration.
Currently, Russia occupies approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and parts of the east. While the international community does not recognize these gains, Trump has previously suggested that Kyiv might need to cede land to achieve a settlement. However, the US official clarified that any final agreement on borders would likely come at the end of the process, after other issues like a security framework are resolved.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a more cautious perspective, noting that the path to peace still has significant hurdles. “We’ll keep trying,” Rubio said, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to finding creative solutions to end the conflict. The Russian delegation, led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, includes Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and senior military officer Yuri Zhigarlovsky.
European representatives from France, Germany, and the European Commission will attend the talks as observers. However, the Kremlin has explicitly excluded them from the core negotiations. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, stated that the discussions are strictly trilateral, involving only Russia, Ukraine, and US mediation. He indicated that European concerns would be addressed through separate channels between the Americans and Europeans, as well as between Ukrainians and their European partners.
Source: Al Jazeera
