Middle East conflict clouds planned Ukraine-US-Russia talks, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that ongoing military operations in the Middle East have cast uncertainty over a planned meeting with the United States and Russia in Abu Dhabi.

During an online press briefing, Zelenskyy explained that the meeting was tentatively scheduled for March 5–6, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

“No updated information is available. The meeting was planned for the period of March 5–8, approximately March 5–6, in Abu Dhabi. At the moment, due to these military operations, we cannot confirm that the meeting will take place specifically in Abu Dhabi, but no one has canceled the meeting,” he said.

He emphasized that the meeting remains significant, particularly regarding outcomes such as potential exchanges.

Zelenskyy also addressed concerns over military support, noting that the situation in the Middle East has not yet affected US arms deliveries to Ukraine under the PURL initiative, including air defence missiles. He confirmed that there have been no reports of delays in the delivery of scarce PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems and that the PURL program is proceeding as planned.

“Everyone understands that this is a matter of our survival, the appropriate weaponry. For now, the PURL program is functioning. I am working to ensure that tranches from our European partners are delivered. So far, everything is proceeding as planned,” he said.

The Ukrainian President added that he continues to maintain close contact with European and US partners, including a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on arms deliveries. However, he cautioned that a prolonged and intense conflict in the Middle East could potentially impact the volume of air defence resources reaching Ukraine.

By Vafa Guliyeva