Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is prepared to meet directly with Vladimir Putin to resolve "the most sensitive issues" of a potential peace agreement, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told European Pravda in an interview. The topics would include territories and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Ukraine expects to sign a 20-point peace plan, provided it is fully agreed upon, Sybiha said. However, Russia remains an obstacle to the peace process, according to the minister.
The negotiations in Abu Dhabi on 23-24 January involved representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, with bilateral meetings held between members of the Ukrainian and Russian delegations. Sybiha described the talks as "very difficult" but noted a qualitative change in Russia's negotiating team composition.
"These are different people, and there were no longer these pseudo-historical lectures. The conversations were very focused," Sybiha said.
The minister explained that Ukraine will sign the 20-point peace plan with the United States, while Russia will separately do the same with the US. There will be no European signature, but Europe is present in the peace process and in security guarantee agreements, Sybiha noted.
Security guarantees are expected to be ratified, including by the US Congress. The foreign minister emphasized that American troops will not be stationed in Ukraine, though some European partners are ready to deploy their contingent—on the condition of American "backstop."
Other key points include the presence of Western troops as a deterrent factor against Russia, development of Ukraine's own air defense and long-range weapons production, and Ukraine's EU membership as part of the security system and a guarantee for future investments.
The Ukrainian delegation reported to the president that the Abu Dhabi meeting addressed several important issues, primarily military ones necessary to end the war. They also discussed "complex political issues that remain unresolved," according to reports.
The next round of negotiations will take place in Abu Dhabi this week. President Zelenskyy said it could happen on 1 February.
