Trilateral Ukraine talks to resume in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday: Zelenskyy
Al Jazeera
Second round of talks to follow negotiations last month that appeared to make little progress on key issue of territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a second round of trilateral talks on ending the war with Russia will take place in Abu Dhabi this week as the fate of a temporary energy ceasefire hangs in the balance.
Zelenskyy, whose country’s energy system has come under relentless attack in one of the coldest winters in years, said envoys from the United States, Russia and Ukraine would meet in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Ukraine is ready for a substantive discussion, and we are interested in ensuring that the outcome brings us closer to a real and dignified end to the war,” he said on Sunday amid continuing US pressure to reach a deal with Russia after almost four years of war.
The first round of trilateral negotiations took place in late January but appeared to make little progress on the vital question of territory. Moscow still is demanding Kyiv cede a fifth of the Donetsk region that it still controls, which Zelenskyy’s government is refusing to do. The next round had been scheduled to take place on Sunday but may have been delayed because of the US-Iran crisis.
US President Donald Trump, who has said he wants to be remembered as a “peacemaker”, has repeatedly said a deal to end the Ukraine war is close and on Thursday announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to stop strikes on energy targets for a week due to cold weather.
Lawmakers say the White House has not clearly explained why the US entered the conflict, or how long it may last.
The global rights group says erosion of health, safety in Gaza ‘a deliberate act of war targeting women and girls’.
Two Israeli air attacks hit Lebanon’s southern city of Tyre amid media reports Tel Aviv wants to expand buffer zone.
Expanding regional conflict shifts global attention as Gaza faces border closures, inflation and ‘ceasefire’ violations.
Images verified by Human Rights Watch show Israel fired white phosphorus in populated areas of southern Lebanon.
Mojtaba Khamenei will now be charged with leading Islamic Republic through the biggest crisis in its 47-year history.
Analysts say Israel’s actions in Lebanon, including mass displacement, are an effort to reshape the country.
The conflict has already led to the suspension of almost a fifth of global crude oil and natural gas supply.
Arab states in the Gulf and beyond that house US assets have been targeted in Iranian retaliatory strikes in the war.
Explosions shake Iran as US-Israel attacks intensify, marking eight days of conflict and retaliation from Iran.
Yemen’s Houthi leadership cautious, fearing Israeli retaliation following past air strikes and leadership losses.
Footage shared by Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman purportedly shows destruction in Shahid Hamedani School in Tehran.
Gulf countries face continued barrage of Iranian attacks as US, Israel pledge to continue military assault against Iran.