The state of affairs at a look: Ukrainians and Russians proceed talks in Abu Dhabi | EUROtoday

Ukrainians and Russians need to resume direct negotiations to finish the conflict that started per week in the past within the United Arab Emirates at present. The Kremlin in Moscow and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj confirmed the appointment within the capital Abu Dhabi, however – as final week – neither named a precise place nor a time. Per week in the past, the talks have been held behind closed doorways and mediated by the USA with its chief negotiator Steve Witkoff. This time the combatants are negotiating with out US representatives.

Meanwhile, Witkoff met with Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriyev in Miami on Saturday. The Russian informed X that there had been a constructive assembly with the US delegation. He additionally had productive discussions with a working group on US-Russian financial relations.

Before negotiations in Abu Dhabi, there have been additionally talks in Miami

For his half, Witkoff wrote that there had been productive and constructive discussions with Dmitriyev as a part of the US try and mediate an answer to the Ukraine conflict. The assembly bolstered the view that Russia is working to make sure peace in Ukraine. According to Witkoff, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and authorities advisor Josh Gruenbaum have been additionally there from the US aspect.

Despite the quite a few conferences which have repeatedly been described as “constructive” and “productive”, an settlement on a peace settlement shouldn’t be but in sight. Demands for territorial cessions are central to Moscow. Russia calls for that Ukraine additionally withdraw from these elements of Donbass – which incorporates the Luhansk and Donetsk areas – that stay managed by Kiev. Ukrainian President Zelensky has repeatedly rejected such cessions of territory.

Zelenskyj calls for readability from the US about new conferences

After the Russian Dmitriyev’s assembly with the US delegation, Zelensky introduced that Kiev was now anticipating concrete details about additional conferences subsequent week. “Ukraine is ready to cooperate in all work formats. The important thing is that there are results,” he mentioned in his night video message. He didn’t point out the negotiations deliberate for at present in Abu Dhabi.

The Ukrainian delegation is headed by negotiator Rustem Umyerov. The Russian negotiating group is led by the pinnacle of army intelligence, Igor Kostyukov.

Against the background of the negotiations, on the request of US President Donald Trump, Russia agreed to briefly chorus from new assaults on the nation’s power infrastructure as a result of excessive chilly and the already in depth injury in Kiev and different cities. Meanwhile, assaults on different targets continued. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned that the restricted ceasefire solely applies till this Sunday in an effort to create a great foundation for the negotiations.

Ukraine has been defending itself in opposition to the Russian conflict of aggression with Western assist for nearly 4 years.

Continued issues with power provide in Ukraine

In the Ukrainian capital Kiev, round 2,600 homes are nonetheless with out heating after a serious energy outage, as Mayor Vitali Klitschko introduced on Telegram on Saturday night. Selenskyj had not too long ago referred to as for extra pace in restoring provides in his video message.

The purpose for the huge issues in lots of elements of the nation was a failure of two strains between Romania and Moldova and within the territory of Ukraine, as Zelensky defined. It was a day of emergency for the federal government, the Ministry of Energy, power corporations and regional and native authorities. “The causes are currently being investigated,” mentioned Zelensky.

Icing on the pipes might have been the explanation for the collapse. “There is currently no evidence of external interference or a cyberattack,” Zelensky mentioned. The nation additionally elevated its electrical energy imports. Ukraine’s power system is severely broken, particularly after the various Russian assaults.

Meanwhile, the state utility Ukrenergo introduced that the state of affairs within the Ukrainian power system was progressively stabilizing. Nevertheless, electrical energy will probably be switched off once more each hour in all areas of Ukraine at present in an effort to restrict consumption.