Talks organised by the US administration were held in Abu Dhabi between Ukraine and Russia, as Russia and the US once again pressured Ukraine to capitulate. Russia maintained its maximalist demands, while restrictions on Starlink technology in Ukraine were renewed, adding to the pressure on the beleaguered nation.
During the talks in Abu Dhabi, the Ukrainian delegation led by Rustem Umerov once again refused to concede any Ukrainian territories to Russia, saying that these territories were not theirs to trade. Talks are ongoing for a new prisoner of war exchange.
Europe was not formally represented at the negotiating table in Abu Dhabi, with the US delegation blaming Europe for failing to nominate a representative. However, Russia had in fact reacted the participation of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas in the talks. The US was represented by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff and they flew to Moscow after the talks. Subsequently, Jared Kushner flew to Dublin to meet with the Europeans and with President Volodymyr Zelensky at the European Political Community Summit.
During an opening press conference of the summit, the Ukrainian President announced that restrictions on the use of Starlink in Ukraine’s occupied territories remained in place. Some are also interpreting this as a political message intended to pressure President Zelensky into giving up those territories.
Russia is demanding that Europe appoint another representative.
Recently, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke to Vladimir Putin in a telephone call. The discussion yielded no breakthrough, with Putin maintaining Russia’s maximalist demands.
European leaders are set to keep discussing potential diplomatic contact with Russia although expectations for the war to end before the end of this year are low as Russia insists on its maximalist demands.
Newsroom
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