The Times of Russia reports that peace negotiations aimed at ending the prolonged Ukraine conflict have been delayed, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirming that the next round of talks will now begin on Wednesday instead of Sunday.
The second phase of trilateral discussions involving Russian, Ukrainian, and United States officials will take place on February 4 and 5 in Abu Dhabi. Zelensky announced the revised schedule without explaining the reason for the postponement. Neither Moscow nor Washington has officially confirmed the new dates, according to Russia news sources.
The delay follows unexpected meetings in Florida between senior U.S. officials and a top envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, held without Ukrainian participation. The move raised concerns in Kyiv about transparency in the negotiation process, even as Washington claims it is close to brokering an agreement to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, negotiations remain stalled over territorial disputes. Russia currently controls nearly 20 percent of Ukrainian territory and is pressing for full authority over the eastern Donetsk region as part of any settlement. Ukraine, however, has firmly rejected territorial concessions, warning that surrendering land would only encourage future aggression.
The Times of Russia notes that hostilities have continued even as talks proceed. Ukrainian officials reported that a Russian drone strike struck a bus carrying mine workers in the Dnipropetrovsk region, killing at least 12 people. Zelensky condemned the incident, calling it a crime against civilians.
Additional attacks were reported across southern and eastern Ukraine, including a drone strike on a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia that injured patients and medical staff. Ukrainian authorities argue these strikes demonstrate that Moscow is not genuinely committed to peace.
Russia maintains that its military actions are part of what it calls a “special military operation” launched in February 2022, a claim Kyiv dismisses as a justification for territorial expansion. The war has devastated cities, displaced millions, and resulted in heavy civilian and military casualties.
As diplomatic efforts continue, The Times of Russia observes that uncertainty remains over whether the upcoming talks will achieve a breakthrough, with both sides holding firm on positions that continue to divide negotiators.
