Two-Day Ukraine Crisis Talks End in UAE

Talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi with the participation of the Russian delegation led by the head of the main directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Igor Kostyukov, have concluded. They lasted almost three hours.

After the conclusion, the Russian delegation returned to the hotel, and U.S. representatives headed to the airport, according to RIA Novosti. At the time of publication, official final statements from the participants have not been released. Typically, following such confidential meetings, the sides hold internal consultations.

As TASS noted, there will be no continuation of the meetings today. Their results will be announced by authorized persons in the capitals.

‘The dialogue on Ukraine in the “troika” format in Abu Dhabi may be continued in the coming days,’ TASS reports.

According to news agency reports, central points on the agenda included discussion of terms for a potential peaceful settlement, including security issues and territorial aspects. It is also known that the sides communicated in Russian and English.

At the start of the first round, which took place the day before, the delegations of three countries were welcomed by the head of the Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He then expressed hope that the trilateral meetings would help the countries take steps aimed at ending the Ukrainian crisis.

These negotiations can be viewed as the first opportunity in a long time for direct dialogue between the conflicting countries.