As noted by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, during the meeting, U.S. representatives shared their views on Trump's meeting with Zelensky in Davos, as well as discussed other events that took place in December and January, including meetings in Florida and several European capitals.
Ushakov emphasized that the negotiations focused on jointly determining the next steps after receiving information. He also reported that the first meeting of the trilateral working group on security issues has been scheduled, which will include representatives from Russia, the U.S., and Ukraine. This meeting is planned to be held on January 23 in Abu Dhabi.
According to Ushakov's statement, the Russian delegation has already been formed and received instructions from Putin. It includes high-ranking representatives from the Ministry of Defense, including the head of the GRU, Igor Kostyukov, who will soon fly to Abu Dhabi.
Additionally, a meeting between Whitcoff and Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, will also take place in Abu Dhabi as part of the bilateral working group on economic issues.
Ushakov assured journalists that the negotiations in the Kremlin were conducted in a "substantive, constructive, and trusting" atmosphere.
Once again, Moscow confirmed that without resolving territorial issues, it is impossible to achieve a long-term settlement of the conflict. "Russia will continue to pursue its goals," he added.
The agenda also included Trump's initiatives to create a "peace council," issues of regional security, and the situation around Greenland. Ushakov stated that Russia proposed to allocate $1 billion from frozen assets to finance the "peace council," while the remaining funds could be directed towards the restoration of territories after a peace treaty with Ukraine.
So far, the White House has not provided comments regarding the results of the meeting in the Kremlin.
On the way back from Davos, Donald Trump told reporters that Putin and Zelensky expressed a desire to reach an agreement and end the conflict.
The plane with the American delegation landed at Moscow's Vnukovo-2 airport on Thursday evening. The meeting with Putin began after 11 PM local time.
In addition to Putin, his aide Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, special representative for investment and economic cooperation, participated in the negotiations.
The American delegation also included Josh Grünbaum, commissioner of the Federal Procurement Service, who had not been mentioned earlier.
This was the first visit of Whitcoff and Kushner to Moscow this year; they last met with Putin in December. Previously, Whitcoff had visited Moscow five times alone.
On the same day in Davos, Trump met with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, who expressed doubts about his participation in the forum, as Greenland was considered the main issue for Trump, not Ukraine. Due to disagreements with European leaders, the signing of the "prosperity plan" for Ukraine was postponed, as reported by the Financial Times.
As a result of the meeting between Trump and Zelensky, there were no official statements. Zelensky shared on social media that they discussed the peace agreement process and U.S. assistance in the area of air defense. Later, he added that he was returning with some agreements on a new package of air defense assistance, but did not specify with whom they were reached.
Trump commented on the meeting with Zelensky, noting that the process is ongoing, and all parties are interested in ending the war. He added that they will meet with Putin tomorrow.
At the World Economic Forum, Zelensky called for more active actions from Europe against Russia, pointing out internal conflicts and a lack of unity that hinder effective resistance.
The President of Ukraine announced trilateral negotiations with representatives from Russia and the U.S., which will begin in Abu Dhabi and last for two days.
Zelensky also stated that the Ukrainian delegation will consist of five people, including Umerov, Budanov, Kisilitsa, Arahamiya, and Gnatov.
Whitcoff confirmed that working groups will take place in Abu Dhabi, stating that significant progress has been made in negotiations to end the war, but did not specify details.
Zelensky also reported that the document on security guarantees from the U.S. for Ukraine is ready, but agreement on territorial control could not be reached. Moscow insists on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas, which Ukraine considers unacceptable.
In November, consultations took place in Abu Dhabi between representatives of the U.S. Department of Defense and the Russian side, where the Ukrainian delegation also contacted both sides.
