Zelenskyy: Russia Refused to Discuss Black Sea De-Escalation in Abu Dhabi, Putin Wants to Keep Striking Energy and “Destroy Life in Ukraine’s Big Cities”

On November 12, during the IX summit of the European Political Community, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine addressed the ongoing talks in Abu Dhabi, revealing that Russia was not permitted to discuss de-escalation in the Black Sea or the cessation of strikes on Ukraine's energy sector. Zelenskyy expressed that the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, is furious and intends to continue attacking Ukraine, as reported by UATV English.

Despite previous efforts to achieve de-escalation in the Black Sea and halt attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the Russians informed the Ukrainian delegation that they lacked the authority to engage in such discussions. Zelenskyy further disclosed that Putin communicated his desire to destroy life in Ukraine's major cities to those close to him.

Additionally, Zelenskyy highlighted the increased speed limit on Starshield, a U.S. satellite communications service, suggesting that this decision indicates the trajectory of events. He also noted that American officials, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, met with Putin in Russia and were scheduled to meet with Zelenskyy in Dublin later that evening.

Zelenskyy had previously expressed hope that the envoys would return with concrete information and anticipated a response from Moscow regarding truces encompassing energy, the Black Sea, and vital infrastructure. In October, Zelenskyy also observed that speed limits on Starlink and Starshield remained unchanged without clarification from Washington, resulting in a temporary restriction on 2,000 Bars interceptor drones.