President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said negotiations with Russia may move from Abu Dhabi to Switzerland or Turkey amid regional instability, while Western military aid to Kyiv remains unchanged for now.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
U.S.-brokered negotiations between Ukraine and Russia scheduled for later this week may be relocated from Abu Dhabi due to escalating hostilities in the Middle East, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday.
According to a report by the Associated Press, Zelenskyy indicated that the United Arab Emirates capital, previously identified as the planned site, may no longer be feasible.
“Due to hostilities, as of today we cannot confirm (the talks) will take place in Abu Dhabi,” Zelenskyy said. He added that alternative venues under consideration include Switzerland or Turkey.
The diplomatic effort, led by the United States, is part of ongoing attempts to end the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Previous rounds of talks have taken place in Abu Dhabi, Istanbul and Geneva, but none have resulted in a comprehensive breakthrough on core issues.
The possible relocation comes as American and Israeli strikes on Iran, along with retaliatory missile attacks by Iran and affiliated militias targeting Israel and Arab states, heighten instability across the Middle East. Zelenskyy acknowledged that the regional conflict could draw attention and resources away from the war in Europe, now entering its fourth year.
Despite concerns about shifting geopolitical priorities, Zelenskyy said Ukraine has received no formal indication that deliveries of Western air defense systems would be interrupted. He specifically referenced American-made Patriot missile systems, which remain critical to Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian aerial assaults.
“There has been no immediate change,” he said, while noting that prolonged Middle East hostilities could affect the volume of future deliveries.
Zelenskyy also addressed Russia’s winter campaign targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He said Moscow’s effort to disable the country’s power grid did not achieve its intended objective, though it caused significant damage. He added that recent Russian aerial strikes have increasingly focused on other infrastructure, including water supply systems.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Sunday that the United Kingdom would deploy Ukrainian experts to assist Persian Gulf nations in countering Iranian drone threats. Ukraine has developed substantial experience in drone defense and operations during the war, particularly against Shahed drones originally developed in Iran and used in repeated Russian attacks.
Zelenskyy said, however, that Kyiv has not received any direct requests from the United Kingdom or other governments regarding such assistance.
As preparations for renewed negotiations continue, officials are monitoring developments in the Middle East that could influence both the logistics of peace talks and the broader allocation of military resources.
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