Axios: Ukraine, Russia meet in Abu Dhabi without Americans in the room

During the trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in the United Arab Emirates, Kyiv and Moscow also had a bilateral meeting, declares media outlet Axios, citing unnamed Ukrainian officials.

According to them, during the negotiations on January 23-24, American mediators held a joint meeting with the delegations of Kyiv and Moscow, and the latter had a direct meeting "without the Americans in the room."

Meanwhile, the UAE government spokesperson said that during the two-day discussions there was also "direct interaction" between Russian and Ukrainian representatives.

It concerned unresolved issues of the draft peace agreement, proposed by the United States, as well as "confidence-building measures aimed at supporting progress toward a comprehensive agreement," the official added.

He also noted that the January 23-24 talks were held in a "constructive and positive atmosphere."

In addition, the negotiation teams met with the leader of the UAE, sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Earlier, his country was an intermediary between Ukraine and Russia on the exchange of prisoners.

• President Zelenskyy also positively assessed the talks in Abu Dhabi and announced that further meetings could take place next week. According to him, the main topics of discussion were parameters of the end of the Russian war.