Russia says Ukraine talks held in ‘constructive spirit’

The Kremlin said Monday that US-brokered trilateral talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators had been held in a “constructive spirit” but there was still “significant work ahead.”

“It would be a mistake to expect any significant results from the initial contacts... But the very fact that these contacts have begun in a constructive spirit can be viewed positively. However, there is significant work ahead,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.

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The two-day meeting in the UAE on Friday and Saturday was the first time negotiators from Moscow and Kyiv faced each other to talk about a plan being pushed by US President Donald Trump to end the nearly four-year war.

“I wouldn’t say there was any friendliness there, it’s hardly possible at this stage,” Peskov said.

“But if you’re trying to achieve something through negotiations, you need to speak constructively,” he added.

The next round of trilateral talks is expected to take place on February 1, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening address on Monday.

“It would be good if this meeting could be brought forward,” he added.

Russian drones and missiles have cut power and heating to millions of Ukrainians in recent days of sub-zero temperatures, including during the negotiating process.

Zelenskyy said he expected “real results” from the next round of talks, and that Russia should not use them as a delaying tactic to avoid new Western sanctions.

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