War with Iran hinders peace talks on Ukraine, says Zelenskyy

Trilateral peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are currently suspended because of the war between Washington and Tehran, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an evening address, according to the Kyiv Independent.

He said Ukraine continues to communicate with the United States almost daily, but so far the necessary signals to resume the trilateral meeting have not been received. The resumption of diplomatic negotiations will only be possible when the security situation and the broader political context allow it.

The United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on 28 February following weeks of anti-government protests in the country and unsuccessful negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s uranium enrichment programme.

US efforts to broker a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia intensified during the winter but have slowed in recent weeks, according to Zelenskyy. Ukrainian and US officials met in Geneva on 26 February to discuss advancing to the next phase of trilateral talks.

Before the US attacks on Iran began, Zelenskyy said the next round of peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States could take place in early March in Abu Dhabi.

(max)