Kremlin Excludes European Nations from Upcoming Ukraine-US Talks in Abu Dhabi, Contradicting Kyiv's Stance

European countries will not be part of the upcoming round of talks involving Ukraine and the United States, scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi. This assertion comes from a senior foreign policy advisor at the Kremlin, who was quoted by Interfax news agency. Yuri Ushakov stated that the potential involvement of European nations was not a subject of discussion during a recent 90-minute phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.

However, President Stubb presented a differing perspective. Addressing a meeting of the Nordic Council in Helsinki, he indicated that European countries would indeed participate in the Abu Dhabi talks slated for November. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at a press conference in the Netherlands on Wednesday, confirmed that trilateral discussions with Russia and the US are planned to take place in the United Arab Emirates from November 6 to November 10. President Zelenskyy expressed Kyiv's desire for European involvement, emphasizing the need for unity and increased pressure on Russia.

These remarks followed President Zelenskyy's meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, who committed an additional 500 million euros ($556 million) in military aid for Ukraine this winter. This funding is intended for the procurement of drones and other equipment to bolster Ukraine's defenses. President Zelenskyy is also scheduled to meet with Dutch King Willem-Alexander on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Dutch government had announced a new support package for Ukraine valued at 1.2 billion euros ($1.33 billion) over the next three years, along with a contribution of 40 million euros ($44.5 million) by the end of the current year to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, the Dutch minister for foreign trade and development cooperation, stated during a visit to Kyiv that "Support for recovery and reconstruction can’t wait for a ceasefire. Ukraine needs our help right now – military support but also social and economic assistance." He further added, "However successful you are on the battlefield, it’s also essential that energy systems, hospitals and food production keep ticking over."

In a separate development, President Zelenskyy conveyed his gratitude to British Prime Minister Andy Burnham for a recently announced additional support package amounting to 10 billion pounds ($13.3 billion), following a phone call on Wednesday morning. "A truly strong and very timely step – coming right as Russia needs to see and feel that Ukraine will not be left alone to deal with the problems Russia is so eager to escalate," President Zelenskyy posted on social media. According to Downing Street, the new British aid package includes 500 million pounds ($665 million) in additional military support from the Ministry of Defence, aimed at addressing urgent gaps in Ukraine's air defenses during the winter months.