Zelenskyy open to Putin summit on key peace plan hurdles

2026-01-28 - 09:30

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has stated that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is willing to meet directly with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The proposed summit would aim to break deadlocks on the most difficult points within a discussed 20-point peace framework to end the protracted war. This development comes amidst a flurry of diplomatic activity, including talks in the United Arab Emirates, as both sides signal cautious progress. Territory and Nuclear Plant Remain Sticking Points In an interview published Tuesday, Sybiha identified the core unresolved issues as the status of territories and the operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. "It is precisely to resolve them that the president is ready to meet with Putin and discuss this," the minister told European Pravda. He emphasized that negotiating teams, not foreign ministers, should handle the primary diplomatic track, arguing against creating "parallel" discussion channels. Recent Talks in Abu Dhabi Show Movement The Ukrainian diplomat pointed to last week's trilateral consultations in Abu Dhabi involving Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. officials as a sign of forward momentum. Sybiha confirmed that separate bilateral and military-level talks also occurred in the Emirati capital, describing them as "very complex" and "focused." He noted substantive discussions on potential ceasefire parameters and verification mechanisms, key for any lasting peace. Complex Diplomatic Structure Under Discussion Sybiha outlined the contemplated agreement's structure, revealing it is envisioned as a bilateral document between Ukraine and the United States, with a separate accord between the U.S. and Russia. "As of now, this is exactly the structure that is being discussed, but negotiations are still ongoing. It is a process," he added. Both Ukrainian and Russian officials have indicated plans for another meeting in early February, potentially again in Abu Dhabi, with the U.S. special envoy noting "a lot of progress" had been made.