Ukraine FM Accuses Putin of Ordering Missile Strike During Abu Dhabi Talks
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister accused Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday (January 23, 2026) of deliberately prolonging the war and said that any negotiations with Moscow were impossible while Russian troops remain on Ukrainian territory.
Dmytro Kuleba stated that Putin’s recent comments indicated he wasn’t genuinely interested in a peaceful resolution. He criticized Putin’s statements suggesting Ukraine should recognize the “new realities” on the ground,which Kuleba interpreted as a demand for Ukraine to cede territory.
“Every time Putin talks about negotiations, it’s always a deception,” Kuleba said in an interview. “He wants to use the time to regroup, to prepare for new offensives. He doesn’t want genuine negotiations.”
Kuleba reiterated Ukraine’s position that any negotiations could only occur after Russia fully withdraws its forces from all Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, and pays reparations for the damage caused by the war. He emphasized that Ukraine would not compromise on its territorial integrity or sovereignty.
The Foreign minister also called on Western allies to increase their military aid to ukraine, particularly in terms of air defense systems, artillery, and ammunition. He argued that a stronger Ukrainian military would be better positioned to deter further Russian aggression and ultimately force Russia to negotiate on Ukraine’s terms.
“We need more weapons, and we need them faster,” Kuleba stated. “The situation on the battlefield is very difficult, and we need to be able to defend ourselves effectively.”
Meanwhile, Putin visited the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, where he spoke about the importance of developing advanced technologies for the Russian military and economy. He emphasized the need for Russia to become self-sufficient in critical technologies and reduce its reliance on Western imports.
The Kremlin has consistently blamed the West for escalating the conflict in Ukraine, accusing NATO of expanding eastward and threatening Russia’s security interests. Putin has also claimed that Russia is protecting Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine from persecution.
These claims have been widely rejected by Ukraine and Western governments, who accuse Russia of waging an unprovoked war of aggression against a sovereign nation. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and has caused widespread destruction across Ukraine.