Kremlin excludes European nations from planned Abu Dhabi talks on Ukraine

European nations will be excluded from an upcoming diplomatic summit concerning the conflict in Ukraine, according to an announcement from the Kremlin. The planned discussions, which involve negotiators from Ukraine and the United States alongside Russian representatives, are scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi in early November.

Yuri Ushakov, a senior foreign policy adviser in Moscow, stated via the Interfax news agency that European involvement was never brought up during a recent hour-and-a-half telephone conference featuring Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Finland's Alexander Stubb, and Norwegian head of government Jonas Gahr Store.

However, Stubb presented a conflicting version of events. Speaking at a Nordic Council gathering in Helsinki, the Finnish leader claimed European states would indeed take part in the United Arab Emirates discussions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the upcoming negotiations during an official appearance in the Netherlands. He noted that three-way discussions between Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow are set to occur in Abu Dhabi between November 6 and November 10. Zelenskyy expressed strong support for European participation, arguing that maintaining continental unity and applying heightened leverage against Moscow are vital.

During his trip, Zelenskyy secured fresh financial and military commitments from European partners. Following talks in The Hague with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, the Netherlands unveiled an immediate 500 million euro package to fund defense supplies, including uncrewed aerial vehicles, for the coming winter. The Ukrainian leader was also scheduled to hold an audience with King Willem-Alexander.

The Dutch government additionally revealed a broader multi-year initiative providing 1.2 billion euros in aid over three years, alongside 40 million euros designated for Ukraine's energy infrastructure before the year closes. While visiting Kyiv, Dutch development minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma emphasized that economic recovery, hospital maintenance, and energy stability cannot be delayed until fighting ceases.

Further assistance arrived from the United Kingdom following a Wednesday morning conversation between Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The UK unveiled an aid package valued at 10 billion pounds, with Downing Street specifying that 500 million pounds would directly supply Ministry of Defence resources aimed at reinforcing air defense networks over the winter months. Zelenskyy praised the British commitment online, describing it as a decisive signal that international partners will not abandon Ukraine.