President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine will take place between Ukraine, the United States and Russia in the United Arab Emirates. The announcement followed his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos.The talks mark a rare moment of direct diplomatic engagement involving all three sides.
Diplomatic Push Gathers Pace After Davos Meeting
Speaking to reporters in Davos on Thursday, Zelensky said the talks would include Russia, Ukraine and the United States. He said Moscow must be willing to compromise if progress is to be made.
“The Russians have to be ready for compromises, not only Ukraine.”
President Trump later described his meeting with Zelensky as “good.” At the same time, US special envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Witkoff was accompanied by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Witkoff said he felt optimistic about reaching a deal.
“I think we’ve got it down to one issue, and that means it’s solvable.”
He did not identify the remaining obstacle. Zelensky later said the unresolved issue concerned the future status of eastern Ukraine.
Land Remains the Central Dispute
Zelensky said territory remained the main barrier to a peace agreement.
“It’s all about the land. This is the issue which is not solved yet.”
He said the planned talks could offer different options to both sides. According to Zelensky, the US proposal focuses on Ukraine’s industrial Donbas region. It would involve a demilitarised free economic zone in return for security guarantees for Kyiv.
Witkoff said he would travel to Abu Dhabi after his Moscow visit. There, working groups would discuss military arrangements and economic recovery.
US Security Guarantees Seen as Essential
Zelensky said he had reached an understanding with President Trump on future US security guarantees if a deal is reached. He did not provide details. He said any agreement would need approval from both the US Congress and Ukraine’s parliament.
Zelensky said the UK and France-led “Coalition of the Willing” had committed forces to help monitor a future deal. However, he stressed that American backing remained vital.
“No security guarantees work without the US.”
Sharp Criticism of Europe’s Political Will
Earlier in Davos, Zelensky criticised European leaders for lacking political resolve against Russia.
“There are endless internal arguments that stop Europe from uniting and finding real solutions.”
He contrasted Europe’s approach with that of the United States under President Trump.
“President Trump says he loves Europe, but he will not listen to this kind of Europe.”
War Continues as Talks Are Prepared
Zelensky travelled overnight to attend Davos after initially cancelling the trip. Russian strikes had damaged Kyiv’s power infrastructure, leaving large parts of the city without heating, water or electricity. Thousands of apartment blocks remain without heat during the harshest winter in nearly four years of war.
Last month, Zelensky said a 20-point US peace plan was 90 percent complete. Under the proposal, Ukraine has offered to pull troops back by up to 40 kilometres from areas of the Donetsk region it still controls. The move would help create an economic zone if Russia took similar steps.
The Kremlin said talks with US envoys would continue but did not share Witkoff’s optimism. President Vladimir Putin has long sought control of the entire Donbas region. Russian forces have made slow advances there over the past year.
Zelensky also highlighted another unresolved issue. It concerns control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which Russian forces seized in March 2022.
Zelensky named several senior officials who will take part in the talks. They include national security chief Rustem Umerov, intelligence head Kyrylo Budanov, negotiator David Arakhamia and armed forces chief Andrii Hnatov.