Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday that representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the United States will hold their first-ever trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates this week, marking a potentially significant step in efforts to end the nearly four-year war.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zelenskyy said the meetings are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, and will take place at a technical level, typically involving lower-ranking officials. Neither the White House nor Moscow has formally confirmed the talks, though U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to meet Russian officials in Moscow before traveling to Abu Dhabi for follow-up discussions.
Zelenskyy said: “I think it will be the first trilateral meeting in Emirates. It will be two days’ meetings in Emirates. I hope that Emirates know about it.” Zelenskyy emphasized that any lasting agreement must include strong security guarantees for Ukraine backed by U.S. support, even as Britain and France signal readiness to deploy forces on the ground. “The U.K. and France are ready to actually commit their forces,” he said, “but the backstop of President Trump is needed. And again, no security guarantees work without the U.S.”
The Ukrainian leader met for more than an hour with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the forum, calling the conversation positive but acknowledging the difficulty of final negotiations. “This is the last mile, which is difficult,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Russia “has to be ready for compromises” as well. Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, said progress has been made, though one unresolved issue remains. “I think we’ve got it down to one issue,” he said. “If both sides want to solve this, we’re going to get it solved.”
Zelenskyy also warned that Europe remains heavily dependent on U.S. military support and urged the continent to strengthen its own defense capabilities. He suggested that Ukraine could help counter Russian naval activity in strategic areas if integrated into NATO, underscoring Kyiv’s continued push for deeper Western security ties. While the talks offer cautious optimism, Zelenskyy noted that fighting continues. “It’s better than not having any dialogue,” he said, “but Ukraine is still under attack, and we are responding.”
The diplomatic developments unfolded as President Trump unveiled a new “Board of Peace” initiative in Davos, tied to broader global ambitions, including conflict resolution in the Middle East.
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