• Ukraine, Russia, and U.S. to hold peace talks in Abu Dhabi on February 4-5.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy emphasizes the need for a dignified end to the war.
• Negotiations come amid ongoing territorial disputes and recent drone attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that a second round of trilateral talks involving the U.S. and Russia will take place on February 4 and 5 in Abu Dhabi. Zelenskyy expressed that Ukraine is prepared for "substantive discussions" and aims for an outcome that leads to "a real and dignified end to the war," according to ABC News and Anadolu Agency.

The announcement of the February meetings follows discussions held in Florida, where U.S. official Steve Witkoff stated he was encouraged by the "constructive" meetings with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev. These discussions involved key figures, including Jared Kushner and Scott Bessent, as they seek to end the four-year conflict. Initial discussions before this meeting were characterized by a lack of progress, particularly concerning territorial issues, according to India Times and Channel News Asia.

Despite the optimism expressed by U.S. officials, both Kyiv and Moscow remain divided over territorial concessions, with Russia occupying approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory and seeking more control over the eastern Donetsk region. Zelenskyy has reiterated that Ukraine will not cede land, viewing any such moves as detrimental to national security. These territorial disputes have stymied previous negotiations, as reported by Al Jazeera and India Times.

Additively, ongoing military activities have persisted, with reports indicating that Russian strikes resulted in casualties in Ukraine, including attacks on civilian infrastructure. This continuing violence amplifies the urgency of the upcoming talks, as the humanitarian situation remains dire, according to Channel News Asia and ABC News.