Melezhko: Only One Outcome Expected from Abu Dhabi Talks
On November 10, Alexander Melezhko, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Affairs and Interparliamentary Relations and a People’s Servant Party lawmaker, told Ukrainska Pravda that the best possible outcome from Ukraine-related negotiations in Abu Dhabi, UAE, would be limited to addressing certain humanitarian issues.
When asked what the most favorable result might be for Ukraine, he stated, “Alakhmetov has already indicated no breakthrough is expected—indeed, that remains the case. Budanov hopes to resolve issues related to prisoners of war and facilitate exchanges. In my view, that is the only positive outcome we can realistically anticipate. Beyond that, nothing will change.”
Melezhko noted that the composition of the Russian delegation “clearly reflects a lack of seriousness in Russia’s approach to the talks,” adding, “Meyninsky is not a figure with real decision-making authority or political weight within the Russian hierarchy.”
Asked whether peace-related agreements could still emerge from these negotiations, he emphasized, “Regrettably, no substantive results are likely. Russia continues to demand Ukraine’s unconditional surrender—how could a peace agreement be reached under such conditions?”
He also observed that Russia was unwilling even to discuss core issues, particularly the matter of an immediate ceasefire, instead attempting to shift focus toward “European security architecture and future geopolitical arrangements.” He stressed, “They have shown no intention of placing an unconditional ceasefire—the central issue—at the negotiation table. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to conduct airstrikes and attacks resulting in civilian casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure.”
Regarding whether the Abu Dhabi talks should be confined solely to humanitarian concerns, Melezhko replied: “That would already represent the best-case scenario.”
Previously, Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service head Oleksandr Umerov said Ukraine has been engaging with representatives from Western countries and various international institutions in the UAE. A series of multilateral meetings are planned, including a trilateral session involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.
The Russian delegation attending the upcoming Ukraine-U.S.-Russia trilateral talks includes three individuals born in territories now part of Ukraine: presidential aide Mikhail Meyninsky, Major General Alexander Zolin of the GRU, and General Dmitry Minayev of the FSB.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881475912860868/
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