‘Moscow must end war’: Zelensky says as Russia, Ukraine hold first direct talks on US plan
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "‘Moscow must end war’: Zelensky says as Russia, Ukraine hold first direct talks on US plan")
This handout photograph taken and released by the UAE Presidential Court on January 23, 2026 shows UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (C) speaking with the heads of delegations participating in the UAE-hosted trilateral talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine, at the Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi. Photograph: (AFP)
President Zelensky urged Russia to end the war as officials from Ukraine, Russia and the US held their first direct talks in Abu Dhabi on a US-backed plan to end the nearly four-year conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Kyiv’s stance and urged Moscow to end the war as officials from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States held the first round of direct talks negotiations in Abu Dhabi on Friday (Jan 23). The discussions were aimed at discussing a plan pushed by US President Donald Trump as part of efforts to end the nearly four-year-long war.
“By now, our team should already have at least some answers from Russia. The key is that Russia must be ready to end the war it started,” Zelensky stressed. “Ukraine’s positions are clear. I have defined the framework for dialogue for our delegation.”
While the plan drafted by the US to end the conflict was heavily criticised by Kyiv initially for being too close to Russia's line, the draft was later criticised by Moscow for floating the idea of European peacekeepers.
Following the talks, Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov posted on social media that the meeting in Abu Dhabi had focused “on the parameters for ending Russia’s war and the further logic of the negotiation process.” He added that more meetings were scheduled for Saturday (Jan 24).
In an earlier statement, the UAE’s foreign ministry said that the talks were scheduled to last two days and were “part of ongoing efforts to promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.”
Russia strikes Ukraine
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Meanwhile, the Russian strikes in Kyiv and the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight killed one and injured at least 15 people, authorities said on Saturday (Jan 24). The strikes came hours after the trilateral talks in the UAE ended.
“Kyiv is under a massive enemy attack. Do not leave shelters!” Mayor Vitali Klitschko posted on Telegram, adding that several non-residential buildings were hit. Following the strike, fires broke out in several buildings hit by drone debris as heating and water services in parts of the capital were interrupted amid freezing cold.
