Ukraine and the United States intend to suggest a limited halt in hostilities and a cessation of strikes on power facilities to the Kremlin during discussions in Abu Dhabi.
FT: Ukraine and the US may offer Russia an agreement on mutual cessation of strikes on energy facilities / © TSN.ua
At discussions in Abu Dhabi (UAE), the US and Ukraine might propose to Russia a restricted cessation of fighting, under which Moscow would cease targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, and Kyiv would cease its assaults on refineries and tankers of the Kremlin's “shadow fleet.”
This is according to a report by the Financial Times, citing its personal sources.
A high-ranking US official stated that the trilateral gathering is anticipated to occur on Friday and Saturday in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. Russia has not yet communicated whether it has consented to hold the gathering.
“It’s better to have some dialogue than none,” Zelensky remarked following a meeting with US President Donald Trump, adding that the discussions would be conducted at a “technical level.” Nonetheless, he emphasized that both parties must be prepared to make allowances to achieve headway.
“Russians must be willing to compromise, because, you know, everyone must be willing to do this — not only Ukraine,” Zelensky asserted.
Subsequently, the OP clarified in a conversation with the Financial Times that the trilateral gathering has not yet been officially verified and that the Ukrainian and American parties are awaiting Russia's feedback.
On Thursday, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are anticipated to discuss the concept with dictator Putin in Moscow.
According to Witkoff, immediately after the meeting with Putin, he and Kushner will “immediately proceed to Abu Dhabi” to partake in “working groups.”
According to an informant in The Financial Times, Russia conveyed to the US this week that Putin was receptive to holding parallel discussions with Ukraine, in which negotiators would go back and forth between delegations.
But Moscow has not stated its willingness to conduct trilateral discussions. Should Putin accept the American offer, the gathering would signify the initial instance of U.S. officials sitting at the same table with Russians and Ukrainians since Trump’s return to power last year.
The finishing line?
Speaking Thursday morning at a separate event in Davos dedicated to Ukraine, Witkoff expressed that considerable advancement had been achieved and that “we are now at the finishing line.”
“I think we’ve narrowed it down to one issue… which means it can be resolved,” he appended.
Nevertheless, Putin also seeks extensive negotiations on other matters, encompassing a radical restructuring of Europe’s security framework, alongside profound domestic political alterations in Ukraine that would firmly anchor the country within Russia’s sphere of influence.
An energy truce might not be suitable for either Ukraine or Russia
According to sources acquainted with the deliberations, the US and Ukraine were additionally contemplating providing Russia with a restricted cessation of hostilities wherein Moscow would halt targeting energy infrastructure in exchange for Kyiv ceasing assaults on Russian oil refineries and “shadow fleet” tankers.
As per the publication, negotiations concerning this proposition are at an initial phase. The journalists' contact expressed reservations that Putin would concur to these proposals, given that assaults on Ukrainian energy infrastructure constitute a pivotal instrument for the Kremlin.
A high-ranking Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, remarked in turn that Ukrainian authorities are likewise hesitant regarding an energy cessation of hostilities, as the long-range drone program has been effectively striking Russian oil and gas facilities — and more recently, tankers of the Russian “shadow” oil fleet in the Black and Mediterranean Seas.
Let us remind you that on Friday, January 23, the first trilateral gathering of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia will commence in the United Arab Emirates.
President Zelenskyy said he anticipated Russia would be willing to reach a compromise and that this would guide to a termination of the war. He also unveiled the makeup of the Ukrainian team for negotiations with Russia and the United States in the UAE.
Source: tsn.ua