Zelensky says Russia rejected ceasefire as Abu Dhabi talks turn tense

Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that no ceasefire is coming, because Russia rejected Ukraine's proposals to stop the fighting. His statement followed trilateral talks between US, Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi earlier in the day. According to Axios, citing sources, those negotiations were at points described as tense and emotional.

Zelensky isn't calling it dead yet. He said Ukraine expects results by the end of the year and that progress hinges on tomorrow's US-Russia talks. He also said there is a window of opportunity, one he believes could close the conflict by the end of 2026.

Washington is pushing its own angle. Axios reported Wednesday, citing sources, that the US asked Russia to submit a fresh proposal addressing Europe's future security and steps Moscow would take to ease tensions with the rest of the continent. One source said the US is looking to pressure Russia into letting European representatives join the Ukraine talks.

The battlefield stayed loud while the diplomats talked. Russia's Ministry of Defense said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 85 Ukrainian drones during the day, across western regions including Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk and Rostov, plus Oryol, Kirov, Omsk, Perm Krai, Bashkortostan, the Udmurt Republic and the Black Sea. No injuries or damage were reported. The same ministry said a strike southwest of Odesa hit a dry cargo vessel carrying weapons and military equipment for Ukraine's armed forces.

Zelensky, meanwhile, landed in Dublin for the 9th Summit of the European Political Community. He said roughly 20 leaders are on his schedule for bilateral and multilateral meetings across Wednesday and Thursday, plus a diplomacy session with the American negotiating team, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.