Zelenskyy prepares for key talks, tightens sanctions, flags Iran threat PHOTO

On February 3, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared important updates via his Telegram channel regarding Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts on the international stage, as well as progress in domestic policy and sanctions measures.

He posted about these developments in several entries on his channel, Caliber.Az reports. 

Zelenskyy announced that an important meeting was held with Ukraine’s negotiation team, which is preparing for a new round of trilateral talks. “The trilateral negotiations will take place this Wednesday [February 4] and Thursday [February 5],” he noted.

The meeting in Zelenskyy’s office included key members of the negotiation team, such as Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council Rustem Umerov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, his deputy Serhiy Kyslytsia, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Hnatov, and Presidential Office adviser Oleksandr Bevz. The head of the “Servant of the People” faction, David Arakhamia, will also participate in the upcoming talks. 

The president emphasised that the team had agreed on the framework of the negotiation process and specific objectives. Zelenskyy stressed that the Ukrainian delegation would also hold bilateral meetings with American partners, adding that Ukraine is committed to taking concrete steps to ensure peace and is ready to sign a bilateral document on security guarantees with the United States.

In addition, Ukraine anticipates continued work on the country’s reconstruction and economic development, he wrote.

Another important topic was Ukraine’s international standing. Zelenskyy expressed support for peoples who value freedom and are ready to fight for it, and he reminded of the significance of the Iran issue. “Ukraine will not forget any of the thousands of ‘Shaheds’ striking our cities and villages,” he stated. In this context, the President noted that Ukraine welcomes the European Union’s decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, adding that a similar decision has already been adopted in Ukraine.

He also reported the signing of new sanctions, coordinated with the United Kingdom. “We continue sanctions against former oligarch Dmytro Firtash and his close associates, as well as against Taras Kozak and eight companies connected to him,” Zelenskyy said. According to him, these measures are in response to these individuals’ cooperation with Russia and “support for Russian aggression.” Ukraine will continue to confront anyone acting in the interests of the “aggressor.”

Zelenskyy also described his meeting with the current Chairperson of the OSCE, Ignazio Cassis, and the OSCE Secretary General, Feridun Sinirlioğlu. The meeting discussed issues of Russian “aggression” against Ukraine, diplomacy, and the upcoming trilateral meetings.

The president invited the OSCE to join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and expressed gratitude to Switzerland for its support of Ukraine and its role in ensuring a just peace.

By Khagan Isayev