Three-Way Consultations Delayed
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Heorhiy Tykhy, announced at a briefing that trilateral consultations involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia have been postponed. The primary reason for this decision is the escalating situation in the Middle East. Tykhy noted that working groups continue to communicate daily, but the consultations, which have been rescheduled multiple times already, are now on hold again.
"Regarding the negotiation track, you heard the statement of the President of Ukraine that, of course, the war against Iran negatively affects our negotiation track - Ukraine-Russia-US. I can only confirm this. Multiple postponements of the trilateral consultations have already occurred," stated Heorhiy Tykhy, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
Cooperation with Hungarian Delegates and the Situation with Iranian Drones
Separately, Heorhiy Tykhy reported the arrival of Hungarian representatives in Ukraine on March 11. It is important to note that the Hungarian delegates do not have official delegation status, so no official meetings with them at the Foreign Ministry level were planned.
The spokesperson also commented on the situation with Iranian drones, noting that since 2022, Russia has used over 57,000 Iranian attack drones against Ukraine.
Furthermore, Ukraine is actively deploying its military experts to assist with counter-drone measures in Middle Eastern countries. Currently, 201 Ukrainian military specialists have been sent to the region, with another 34 personnel ready for deployment. Ukrainian specialists are working in countries including:
- The United Arab Emirates
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait
Heorhiy Tykhy also noted that "recently, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that 11 countries have approached Ukraine with requests for such support in recent weeks."
It is worth adding that the Security Service of Ukraine decides on granting foreigners access to the 'Druzhba' oil pipeline. Ukraine maintains constant communication with Hungary and Slovakia on technical issues and is actively working to support sanctions policy against Russia and Iran, expand practical cooperation in security and defense, and participate in Ukraine's reconstruction and investment projects.
The postponement of the trilateral talks underscores how global instability can directly impact diplomatic efforts to resolve regional conflicts. This delay highlights the interconnected nature of international security, where a crisis in one region can stall critical negotiations in another. Meanwhile, Ukraine's deployment of military specialists to the Middle East demonstrates its commitment to building international security partnerships, even as it defends itself against a full-scale invasion.
In light of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the implications for Ukraine's foreign relations are becoming increasingly complex. As noted by the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the situation is further exacerbated by threats from Iran regarding Ukraine's support for its allies in the region. For a deeper understanding of these developments and their potential impact on Ukraine, read more about the recent Iranian threats to Ukraine.