Ukraine Talks: Kremlin Excludes Europe from Abu Dhabi Meeting

A senior Kremlin aide stated that European nations will not participate in the next round of Ukraine peace talks scheduled for Abu Dhabi. Yuri Ushakov made the claim regarding upcoming trilateral discussions between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.

Ushakov told the Interfax news agency that European involvement was not discussed during a 90 minute phone call on Tuesday. That call connected Russian President Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.

Stubb offered a different account of the same conversation. Addressing the Nordic Council in Helsinki, the Finnish president said European countries would be involved in the talks planned for November.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the timeline during a news conference in the Netherlands on Wednesday. He said trilateral talks with Russia and the US would take place in the United Arab Emirates from November 6 to November 10. Zelenskyy argued that Europe should join those sessions to demonstrate unity and apply stronger pressure on Russia.

The president made these remarks after meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. Jetten pledged an additional 500 million euros, or 556 million dollars, in military support for Ukraine this winter. The funds are designated for drones and other materials to strengthen Ukrainian defenses. Zelenskyy was also scheduled to meet Dutch King Willem Alexander on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Dutch government announced a broader support package worth 1.2 billion euros, or 1.33 billion dollars, over the next three years. The announcement included a contribution of 40 million euros, or 44.5 million dollars, to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund by the end of the year. Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, the Dutch minister for foreign trade and development cooperation, visited Kyiv on Wednesday. He stated that support for recovery and reconstruction cannot wait for a ceasefire. He noted that energy systems, hospitals, and food production must continue to function regardless of battlefield outcomes.

Zelenskyy also thanked British Prime Minister Andy Burnham after a phone call on Wednesday. Burnham announced a new support package worth 10 billion pounds, or 13.3 billion dollars. Downing Street said the package includes 500 million pounds, or 665 million dollars, in extra military support from the Ministry of Defence. That money is intended to fill urgent gaps in Ukraine's air defenses for the winter.