Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expresses cautious optimism ahead of historic trilateral talks with US and Russian officials in the UAE, stating that peace documents are “nearly ready” despite unresolved territorial disputes.
DAVOS / ABU DHABI — In a pivotal moment for the nearly four-year-long conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday that the first-ever trilateral peace talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States have commenced in the United Arab Emirates. Speaking from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelensky framed the high-stakes meeting as a potential turning point, expressing hope that it would serve as a definitive “step towards ending the war.”
The Abu Dhabi Summit
The two-day summit in Abu Dhabi, mediated by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, marks the most significant diplomatic push since the invasion began in 2022. While previous negotiations have stalled, the direct involvement of the Trump administration has injected a new sense of urgency.
“The documents aimed at ending this war are nearly, nearly ready,” Zelensky told reporters, revealing that his team has been working with American negotiators “almost every day.” The Ukrainian leader emphasized that security guarantees for Kyiv—a critical demand to prevent future aggression—have been largely finalized. However, he warned that the success of the UAE talks hinges on Moscow‘s willingness to compromise, stating, “Everyone has to be ready, not only Ukraine.”
Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Pressure
The summit follows a tense but reportedly productive meeting between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in Davos on Thursday. Trump, who recently launched a global “Board of Peace” initiative, reiterated his stance that the war “has to end” immediately, citing the staggering human toll.
“We hope it will end because a lot of people are being killed,” Trump told the press alongside Zelensky. The US President’s rhetoric has shifted from mere observation to active pressure, reportedly telling both Putin and Zelensky that they would be “stupid” not to reach a deal now.
The Territorial Deadlock
Despite the diplomatic momentum, a major chasm remains: territory. The Kremlin has signaled that Ukraine‘s withdrawal from the Donbas region is a “very important condition” for any peace treaty. Zelensky, however, remains firm that Kyiv will not trade sovereignty for a temporary truce.
“It’s all about the land. This is the issue which we have not solved yet,” Zelensky admitted in his Davos address. While security protocols are agreed upon, the status of the Russian-occupied eastern territories is the “last mile” of negotiations, which analysts describe as the most dangerous phase of the talks.
Frustration with Europe
While praising the US‘s renewed leadership, Zelensky did not mince words regarding his European allies. In a fiery speech, he criticized the EU for its fragmented response and failure to stop Russia‘s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, which continues to fund the war machine. He contrasted Washington‘s decisive action with Brussels‘ hesitation, warning that a divided Europe risks becoming irrelevant on the global stage.