Zelensky: Ukraine, US and Russia to discuss de-escalation at talks in UAE

Planning technical consultations in the UAE

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about plans for international negotiations during a conversation with journalists on 27 October. According to him, the parties – Ukraine, the US, and Russia – intend to discuss the first steps towards de-escalation at a meeting of technical groups scheduled for November in the United Arab Emirates.

Security issues and, in general, the end of the war remain the top priority for Kyiv. Zelensky noted that Ukraine expects to achieve a concrete result or at least the first steps towards it during these consultations.

Outcomes of contacts with leaders of Finland and Norway

The President reported that the leaders of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, conveyed to him the essence of their discussions after speaking with Volodymyr Putin. In the assessment of these politicians, there is a sense that Russia is seriously committed to holding the meeting.

«Ми з ними тоді поговорили, але публічно з цим не виходили, бо вже була ніч. Зранку у вівторок вони поговорили з російським лідером і озвучили нашу позицію, почули його бачення» (We spoke with them then, but did not go public with it because it was already night. On Tuesday morning, they spoke with the Russian leader, stated our position, and heard his vision), explained Volodymyr Zelensky.

He added that Stubb and Støre discussed the topics of the future conversation before calling Putin.

List of key issues for discussion

Zelensky detailed the agenda that Ukraine proposes for the meeting in the UAE. The key points include:

• de-escalation measures in the energy sector;
• security issues at sea;
• prisoner exchanges and their return home;
• determining the format of possible trilateral meetings at the leader level.

«Це адженда з нашої сторони, яку ми обговорювали з нашими американськими партнерами. Безумовно, важливе питання – гарантії безпеки для України. Є такий запит до американців і європейців від нас. І Росія піднімає таке саме питання, що їм також потрібні гарантії безпеки. Це те, що на сьогодні відомо» (This is the agenda from our side, which we discussed with our American partners. Undoubtedly, an important issue is security guarantees for Ukraine. There is such a request from us to the Americans and Europeans. And Russia raises the same issue, that they also need security guarantees. This is what is known today), emphasised the head of state.

He also noted that Finland and Norway will continue communication with national security advisers from other European countries and partners to provide information on the course of the talks.

Changes in plans for the meeting in Brussels

Previously, a meeting in Brussels with US representatives, European Union leaders, and the NATO Secretary-General was planned. The aim was to discuss preparations for trilateral consultations, specifically mechanisms for security guarantees.

«Наприклад, обговорити, які можуть бути гарантії безпеки, як ми їх для себе бачимо, а потім усе це викласти на папері й бути готовими до адженди тристоронньої зустрічі. Але, наскільки я розумію, у Вашингтоні є питання щодо Близького Сходу, тому американські партнери попросили нас змінити дату – щоб їхні представники у цей час могли бути у Вашингтоні. Чекаємо на нові пропозиції щодо такої зустрічі з американською командою» (For example, to discuss what security guarantees could be, how we see them for ourselves, and then put all this on paper and be ready for the agenda of the trilateral meeting. But, as far as I understand, there are issues regarding the Middle East in Washington, so American partners asked us to change the date – so that their representatives could be in Washington at that time. We are waiting for new proposals for such a meeting with the American team), added Volodymyr Zelensky.