UAE To Host First Trilateral Talks On Ukraine War With US, Russia & Kyiv: Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday that Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are preparing for a rare trilateral dialogue in the United Arab Emirates, a move that could mark a significant step in efforts to end the grinding war that has stretched close to four years.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zelenskyy described the upcoming talks as the "first trilateral meeting in Emirates," scheduled to take place over the next two days.

Zelenskyy stated that compromise must come from both sides of the conflict. "Russia has to be ready for compromises - not just Ukraine," he said, acknowledging the difficult circumstances facing both Kyiv and Moscow.

The announcement came shortly after Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Davos forum. The two leaders had last conferred in December at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Both men characterized their latest meeting as constructive, though they admitted the road ahead remains challenging. "It was good," Zelenskyy said, adding, "This is the last mile, which is difficult. During any dialogue with any president, I have to defend the interests of my country. That's why the dialogue is not simple, but today it was positive."

Trump echoed that sentiment, telling reporters that his conversation with Zelenskyy was "very good," while cautioning that the process is still unfolding. He framed the upcoming trilateral talks as a necessary step, remarking, "Anytime we meet, it's good. If we don't meet, nothing's going to happen. In the first three years, nobody met. So we are meeting, and we'll see what happens. I hope we can save a lot of lives, that's all."

The US President suggested that Europe has the most at stake in the negotiations, portraying his involvement as an effort to stabilize the continent. "Everybody's making concessions to get it done. Europe is going to be a part of it. It's more for Europe than for me. I'm doing it to save lives. It doesn't affect us very much," Trump said. He also speculated about Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions, noting, "I thought Putin wanted the whole thing. Maybe he does, but he's not going to be going there unless we don't make a deal."

Trump further reflected on the human cost of the war, citing staggering casualty figures. "It would be nice to end the war... it's about 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers a month being killed," he said, contrasting the drawn-out conflict with other wars he claimed had been resolved more quickly.

He also touched on broader geopolitical issues, mentioning Gaza and the role of the United Nations. "The United Nations has great potential, but they have not lived up to it. I think working with the Board of Peace is going to be a good thing," he remarked.