Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to participate in trilateral talks with the United States and Russia aimed at ending the ongoing war. The meeting will take place in the United Arab Emirates. Zelensky made the announcement after meeting US President Donald Trump in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, according to BBC reports. Trump said his meeting with Zelensky was excellent and confirmed that US Ambassador Steve Witkoff had traveled to Moscow to discuss the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky stated that the unresolved issue of land in eastern Ukraine remains the main obstacle to peace. Under a US proposal, Ukraine’s industrial Donbas region could become a demilitarized and free economic zone in exchange for security guarantees for Kyiv. Ukraine has offered to withdraw troops up to 40 kilometers from about 25 percent of the Donetsk region it controls, provided Russia takes similar steps. However, Russia’s reported desire to control the entire Donbas region remains a major challenge.

Zelensky emphasized that US involvement is essential to ensure Ukraine’s security after any peace agreement. He added that any deal would require approval from both the US Congress and Ukraine’s parliament.