Zelenskyy: Next round of trilateral talks scheduled for 17 or 18 February in US, Russia has not yet agreed – Bloomberg
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the next round of talks with Russia is scheduled for 17 or 18 February in the United States, but the Russian side has not yet agreed.
Source: Zelenskyy in a comment to Bloomberg
Details: The publication writes that Zelenskyy accepted the US proposal to hold another round of talks next week, "with negotiators likely to zero in on the difficult issue of territory."
Quote from Bloomberg: "The newest round is slated for Tuesday or Wednesday, Zelenskyy told Bloomberg News, though it's unclear whether Russia would agree to talks in the US. On the agenda is a US proposal to set up a free economic zone as a buffer in the eastern Donbas region, an option that the Ukrainian leader said both warring parties view with scepticism."
Details: The outlet also cited Zelenskyy's remarks regarding the economic zone. "None of the sides is keen on the idea of the free economic zone – neither the Russians, nor us… We have different views on it. And agreements were as follows – let's come back with the vision of what it may look like for the next meeting," the president said.
Background:
- According to a communiqué on the outcome of the trilateral talks held in Abu Dhabi on 4-5 February, the US, Ukrainian and Russian delegations discussed methods for implementing a ceasefire and monitoring the cessation of hostilities.
- Following the Abu Dhabi talks, the US and Russia have agreed to resume high-level military dialogue.
- Following these talks, Zelenskyy stated that further meetings are already being planned as part of the negotiation process on resolving the war, and they are likely to take place in the United States.
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