Finland disputes Kremlin claim that Europe is absent from Abu Dhabi talks

Finnish President Alexander Stubb directly challenged a Kremlin assertion that European countries will not participate in upcoming Ukraine negotiations. Stubb stated to the Nordic Council in Helsinki that Europe will be involved in the talks scheduled for November in Abu Dhabi. This remark contradicts the position taken by Yuri Ushakov, a senior foreign policy aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ushakov told the Interfax news agency that European participation was not discussed during a 90-minute phone call held on Tuesday. The call connected Putin, Stubb, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. The discrepancy highlights a diplomatic divergence regarding the scope of the talks, which are set to begin on November 6 and conclude on November 10.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the situation in The Hague on Wednesday. He confirmed that trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States will take place in the United Arab Emirates. Zelenskyy emphasized that Kyiv seeks European involvement to demonstrate unity and apply stronger pressure on Moscow. He made these remarks following a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.

The Dutch government announced a new support package for Ukraine worth 1.2 billion euros over the next three years. This includes 40 million euros for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund by the end of this year. Jetten also pledged an additional 500 million euros in military support for the winter, earmarked for drones and other defensive materials. The funds aim to strengthen Ukrainian air defenses and infrastructure.

Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, the Dutch minister for foreign trade and development cooperation, visited Kyiv on Wednesday. He argued that economic assistance must continue regardless of the status of the war. Sjoerdsma noted that successful battlefield operations require functioning energy systems, hospitals, and food production to maintain stability. He stated that support for recovery cannot wait for a ceasefire.

Zelenskyy also spoke by phone with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Wednesday morning. He thanked Burnham for a newly announced support package worth 10 billion pounds. The British government specified that this includes 500 million pounds from the Ministry of Defence. The allocation is intended to address urgent gaps in Ukraine's air defenses during the winter months.