U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine expected later this week could be moved from Abu Dhabi to Switzerland or Turkey if escalating conflict in the Middle East makes the planned venue untenable, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday.
“Due to hostilities, as of today we cannot confirm (the talks) will take place in Abu Dhabi,” Zelenskyy told reporters in a WhatsApp chat. He had previously said the capital of the United Arab Emirates would host the meeting.
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Previous rounds of negotiations have been held in Abu Dhabi, Istanbul and Geneva but have not produced a breakthrough on core issues since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
Impact of Middle East conflict
The talks come as international attention has been drawn toward US and Israeli strikes on Iran and the subsequent retaliation by Iranian and Iran-backed forces. The widening conflict risks overshadowing diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said Western countries had so far given no indication that deliveries of vital air defence systems to Kyiv would be disrupted by commitments in the Middle East.
He highlighted the importance of US-made Patriot missile systems but acknowledged that supplies could be affected if hostilities in the Gulf region continue for an extended period.
Air defence and infrastructure concerns
Russia’s campaign to cripple Ukraine’s power grid over the winter had failed in its strategic aim, Zelenskyy said, though it caused extensive damage. He added that Russian aerial assaults are now shifting focus to other critical infrastructure, including water supply facilities.
Ukraine has relied heavily on Western-supplied air defences to repel waves of drones and missiles. Daily bombardments, including attacks using Iranian-designed Shahed drones, have continued in recent months.
UK comments on drone expertise
On Sunday, Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom would bring Ukrainian experts to assist Persian Gulf countries in countering Iranian drones, citing Ukraine’s battlefield experience.
However, Zelenskyy said he had not received any direct requests from the UK or other governments regarding such assistance.
Diplomatic efforts led by the United States to bring Moscow and Kyiv to a negotiated settlement remain ongoing, though expectations for a major breakthrough remain low.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 02.03 2026