Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. File
| Photo Credit: AP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the date or location of the next round of U.S.-mediated talks between Ukraine and Russia on how to end the war could change.
The follow-up round of talks was supposed to take place in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (February 1, 2026), but Mr. Zelenskyy said that he did not know when the next meeting would take place.
“It is very important for us that everyone we agreed with be present at the meeting, because everyone is expecting feedback,” he told reporters in remarks released by his office on Friday (January 29, 2026).
“But the date or the location may change – because, in our view, something is happening in the situation between the United States and Iran. And those developments could likely affect the timing,” Mr. Zelenskyy said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said on Wednesday (January 28, 2026) that President Donald Trump’s top envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who attended the previous round of talks, would not participate in the weekend meeting in Abu Dhabi.
On Ukraine joining the EU
Ukraine will be technically ready to join the European Union in 2027, Mr. Zelenskyy said, adding that securing ‘fast track’ accession to the bloc was an important part of security guarantees after the war with Russia ends.
“Technically, we will be ready in 2027,” Mr. Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine will have implemented the main steps required for membership by the end of 2026, he said.
“I would like Ukraine to receive a clear timeline,” he said, adding that his government was committed to the necessary reforms.
Published – January 30, 2026 02:23 pm IST
