Key Highlights
- Russia to join trilateral peace talks with the US and Ukraine for the first time in Abu Dhabi.
- Ukraine remains under Russian attack, with 1,940 apartment buildings still without heating as of this morning.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers scathing speech at Davos, criticising European allies for not taking a firmer stance on the war.
- Russia’s defence ministry reports long-range bombers and fighter jets conducting patrol flights over the Baltic Sea.
The First Trilateral Peace Talks: A Step Forward or Another Groundhog Day?
In a significant development, Russia has confirmed its attendance at the first-ever trilateral peace talks between Ukraine, the US, and Russia in Abu Dhabi. This meeting marks a potential breakthrough in the long-running conflict but also raises questions about whether it will lead to substantive progress.
Trilateral Talks: A Long-Awaited Meeting
The announcement came after Donald Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held late-night discussions with Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The talks, which lasted over two hours, were described as “exceptionally substantive” by the US side.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy had teased this meeting during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, suggesting that the idea was proposed by Washington at short notice. In a statement, Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, confirmed that a negotiating team led by “Ministry of Defence leadership” would join the talks.
Ukraine Under Continued Attack
Despite the positive developments in diplomatic negotiations, Ukraine remains under Russian attack. As of this morning, 1,940 apartment buildings in Kyiv are still without heating, according to Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko. Most of these buildings are located on the left bank of the city, particularly in the Pechersk district.
Klitschko stated that the blackouts were caused by a Russian air attack this week and that the buildings had been reconnected for the second time since an earlier Russian attack on 9 January. This situation highlights the ongoing challenge of maintaining infrastructure amidst ongoing hostilities.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Speech: A Call to Action
In his speech at Davos, Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a scathing critique of European allies for talking endlessly about what needs to be done without taking action. The Ukrainian president used the metaphor of “Groundhog Day” to illustrate how discussions and promises are made repeatedly without leading to meaningful change.
Zelenskyy’s message was clear: Europe should take a firmer stance on the war, as it has not yet faced the same consequences for its inaction that Ukraine has. He also highlighted the contrast between Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin, who faces no such scrutiny, and Nicolas Maduro, who is facing trial.
Russian Military Posture: Unchanged
While diplomatic efforts continue, Russian military postures remain unaltered. The defence ministry reported that long-range bombers and fighter jets conducted a patrol flight over the Baltic Sea, highlighting Russia’s ongoing presence in regional waters.
The fact that these flights are regular indicates Russia’s continued assertiveness, even as it engages in peace talks. This dual approach—diplomacy alongside military posturing—suggests that significant changes may take time to materialize.
Conclusion
A Critical Day for Ukraine
As the first-ever trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine, and the US takes place today in Abu Dhabi, all eyes are on whether this will be a pivotal moment for peace negotiations. While diplomatic efforts continue, the ongoing attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure underscore the complexity of the situation.
The coming days and weeks will reveal if these talks can lead to concrete progress or if they will merely extend the cycle of Groundhog Day-like discussions without tangible results.
