Ukrainian leader hints at possible delay of Russia talks amid US–Iran tensions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that the next round of talks with Russia, which was scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi, may be postponed or relocated.

As UNIAN Telegram channel reports, Zelenskyy said he remains uncertain about the timing of the meeting, which had been planned for February 1.

He emphasized that Ukraine considers it essential for all agreed participants to be present, noting that stakeholders are awaiting feedback from the discussions. However, he added that both the date and the venue could change due to evolving international circumstances.

Zelenskyy pointed in particular to developments involving the United States and Iran, suggesting that shifts in that situation could have a direct impact on when the meeting ultimately takes place.

On January 23–24, Abu Dhabi hosted trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. The Russian delegation was headed by Igor Kostyukov, chief of Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU). A follow-up meeting is currently scheduled for February 1, although President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that both the date and the venue remain subject to change.

On January 28, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said that if President Zelenskyy wishes to meet with the Russian president, he could travel to Moscow. Earlier, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha stated that Zelenskyy is prepared for a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin to address what Kyiv considers the two most critical issues: territorial matters and the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

By Vafa Guliyeva