Zelenskyy: Ukraine-Russia peace talks paused due to Iran conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Wednesday that the US-mediated peace talks with Russia have been temporarily halted due to the escalating conflict in Iran. In a Telegram video statement, Zelenskyy explained that "because of the situation with Iran, the necessary signals for a trilateral meeting haven't come yet," adding that Kyiv stands ready to resume negotiations "as soon as the security situation and the broader political context allow."

Disrupted Diplomatic Track

Russia and Ukraine have conducted three rounds of peace talks this year—two in Abu Dhabi and one in Geneva—with the United States serving as mediator. Last week, Zelenskyy indicated that the next round might take place in early March, again in the United Arab Emirates. However, the sudden US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, which has now killed nearly 900 people including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has upended those plans and shifted international focus to the widening Middle East crisis.

Continued Prisoner Exchange Efforts

Despite the pause in formal negotiations, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Ukraine's intelligence services and other agencies working to arrange further prisoner exchanges with Russia. "We are working to bring all our people home from Russian captivity. We hope for good news," he stated, signaling that humanitarian efforts continue even as broader political dialogue remains suspended.