Kremlin says European countries not included in next Ukraine talks
News Source
β’Wed, 28 Oct 2026 16:12:02 +0000
π° What Happened
The Kremlin says European countries will not join the next round of talks on Ukraine. Yuri Ushakov, a top foreign policy aide to Vladimir Putin, said the issue was not raised in a 90-minute call on Tuesday. The call was between Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
Finland's president tells a different story. Stubb told the Nordic Council in Helsinki that European countries would take part in the Abu Dhabi talks in November. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said three-way talks with Russia and the US will run from November 6 to 10 in the United Arab Emirates.
π The Backstory
Zelenskyy spoke in the Netherlands after meeting Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. The Dutch promised an extra 500 million euros for military aid this winter, mostly for drones. The Netherlands also announced 1.2 billion euros over three years and 40 million euros for Ukraine's energy fund.
Britain announced a new 10 billion pound package, including 500 million pounds for air defences. Kyiv wants Europe at the table because it fears a deal between Washington and Moscow that leaves it exposed. Russia and Ukraine have not held direct talks at this level since the war began.
π― Why It Matters
Talks about Ukraine's future may go ahead without the countries closest to the war. That could shape what a ceasefire looks like, and who pays for it.
The Kremlin says European countries will not join the next round of talks on Ukraine. Yuri Ushakov, a top foreign policy aide to Vladimir Putin, said the issue was not raised in a 90-minute call on Tuesday. The call was between Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
Finland's president tells a different story. Stubb told the Nordic Council in Helsinki that European countries would take part in the Abu Dhabi talks in November. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said three-way talks with Russia and the US will run from November 6 to 10 in the United Arab Emirates.
Zelenskyy spoke in the Netherlands after meeting Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. The Dutch promised an extra 500 million euros for military aid this winter, mostly for drones. The Netherlands also announced 1.2 billion euros over three years and 40 million euros for Ukraine's energy fund.
Britain announced a new 10 billion pound package, including 500 million pounds for air defences. Kyiv wants Europe at the table because it fears a deal between Washington and Moscow that leaves it exposed. Russia and Ukraine have not held direct talks at this level since the war began.
Talks about Ukraine's future may go ahead without the countries closest to the war. That could shape what a ceasefire looks like, and who pays for it.