European countries will not take part in the upcoming negotiations involving Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi, according to a senior foreign policy aide at the Kremlin.
Disputing European Participation
Interfax news agency reported statements from Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, who indicated that potential European involvement was not brought up during a 90-minute telephone conversation on Tuesday between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
However, Finnish President Alexander Stubb presented a contrasting viewpoint while addressing the Nordic Council in Helsinki, stating that European nations would indeed participate in the November discussions in Abu Dhabi.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced during a Wednesday news conference in the Netherlands that trilateral negotiations featuring Russia and the United States are scheduled from November 6 to November 10 in the United Arab Emirates. Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv desires European participation in these discussions, emphasizing the necessity for unity and increased pressure on Moscow.
International Aid and Support
Zelenskyy’s remarks followed discussions with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, who committed an additional 500 million euros ($556m) in winter military assistance for Ukraine to procure drones and bolster defensive capabilities. Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Dutch King Willem-Alexander as well.
Prior to Zelenskyy’s arrival, the Dutch administration unveiled a fresh support initiative totaling 1.2 billion euros ($1.33bn) spanning the upcoming three years, alongside a 40 million euro ($44.5m) allocation to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to be delivered by the conclusion of this year.
During a visit to Kyiv on Wednesday, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma stated that support for recovery cannot wait for a ceasefire, noting that infrastructure, medical facilities, and food production must remain operational regardless of battlefield outcomes.
In a separate announcement, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to British Prime Minister Andy Burnham via social media following a morning phone call regarding a new British assistance package valued at 10 billion pounds ($13.3bn).
Downing Street confirmed that the new British assistance includes 500 million pounds ($665m) in extra military backing from the Ministry of Defence designed to address critical shortages in Ukraine’s air defense systems during the winter season.
