On Sunday, it was announced that a new series of discussions between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia is scheduled for this week. This comes as Kyiv seeks advancements to conclude the conflict, even as Moscow persists with its attacks nationwide.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy stated the talks are set for Wednesday and Thursday in Abu Dhabi.
“Ukraine is prepared for meaningful dialogue, and we aim for the results to move us nearer to a genuine and honorable conclusion of the war,” Zelenskyy wrote.
This development occurs alongside a Russian escalation of assaults on Ukraine’s energy and logistical networks, exacerbating the situation for civilians during a severe winter cold snap.
According to Ukrainian officials, Moscow has consistently aimed at electrical grids, heating, and water supplies over the course of the nearly four-year war, a strategy Kyiv labels as an attempt to weaponize winter against ordinary people.
Officials have cautioned that Ukraine is enduring one of the season’s most frigid periods, with the State Emergency Service forecasting temperatures could drop to as low as minus-22 degrees Fahrenheit in certain regions.
Late last week, President Trump mentioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin consented to a temporary cessation of strikes on Kyiv and other urban centers during the intense cold.
“I personally requested a halt to firing on Kyiv and other cities and towns for one week throughout this … exceptional cold,” Trump remarked during a White House Cabinet session, noting that Putin had “agreed to that.”
The specifics regarding the duration or extent of this pause have not been clarified, and officials in Ukraine have voiced doubt about Russia’s true motives.
Zelenskyy noted on Thursday that fundamental issues are still pending resolution, such as the status of occupied Ukrainian lands and Moscow’s claims to territories it has not seized.
Zelenskyy reported that Russia attacked Ukrainian energy sites in multiple regions on Thursday, although he mentioned no such strikes happened that night. He further stated that assaults have persisted on residential zones and logistical centers throughout Ukraine.
While Trump has characterized Putin’s agreement to a pause as a concession, questions linger about whether Moscow is sincerely committed to ending the war as the February 24th anniversary of the invasion nears.
“I do not think Russia desires to stop the war. Considerable evidence suggests the opposite,” Zelenskyy said Thursday.