Ukraine expects to receive the Russian side’s response on 12 November to the issues discussed during the talks in Abu Dhabi.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this at a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.
According to Zelenskyy, the trilateral talks included, among other things, a major prisoner exchange.
“The sides discussed the possibility of exchanging prisoners of war on a 1,000-for-1,000 basis, perhaps 1,200. That would be very positive. I see no reason why Russia should refuse, but anything can happen,” the head of state said.
The sides also discussed security guarantees, including several possible formats, as well as a meeting of the leaders of Ukraine, Russia and the United States, and the presence of a European representative at the talks.
“It is very important that Europe must be at the negotiating table. And also that this was a signal from the American side. We have always supported this. And it is very important that we now see a change in the temperature of this issue: the American side is taking a warmer view. We very much want, next time, for Europe not to be at the negotiating venue, so to speak, not on the sidelines of the meeting, but as an equal participant in the relevant negotiations. Because that is absolutely fair,” Zelenskyy stressed.
The President added that the sides are discussing a ceasefire in the energy sector, at sea, and with regard to critical infrastructure.
“But the Russian side says they do not have a mandate to respond specifically on these issues. Nevertheless, we agreed that the American side will meet with the Russian leader and all these issues will be raised there. So I expect, at the very least, to receive an answer and to meet in Dublin in the evening,” Zelenskyy added.
- US President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner plan to visit Moscow on 12 November to discuss with Vladimir Putin the results of the Abu Dhabi talks. The American side said it sees opportunities for further progress in the diplomatic process.
- During the first day of the Abu Dhabi talks, Russia raised the territorial issue, claiming it had supposedly already occupied half of Donbas, which in fact remains under Ukraine’s control.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that territorial issues should be discussed at the level of state leaders. According to him, the American side confirmed Ukraine’s assessment of the situation on the front line.
- Among the key objectives of the talks, Ukraine identifies an end to hostilities, reliable security guarantees, economic recovery and humanitarian issues.