Zelensky agreed to talks in the UAE so as not to upset Trump, the FT reports

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to hold talks in the UAE “so as not to irritate U.S. President Donald Trump,” and because Ukrainians are tired of the war.

This is written by Financial Times columnist Gideon Rachman.

“Zelensky’s willingness to enter negotiations with Russia is partly explained by his desire not to irritate Trump. But it also reflects a growing war fatigue in Ukrainian society,” his opinion column says.

Rachman notes that because of missile strikes on the energy sector, Ukraine is “under serious pressure.”

If the talks reach a dead end, Europe fears Trump could lose interest in Ukraine.

“The concern expressed to me by one senior European official is no longer the old fear that the United States will betray Ukraine. The new anxiety is that the Trump administration may lose patience and interest in a peace process which is likely to prove protracted and require significant time and attention—while other foreign and domestic problems pile up on the U.S. administration’s agenda,” the columnist writes.

He believes negotiations to end the war in Ukraine “could last many years.”

“Negotiations to end the Vietnam War began in 1968 and concluded only in 1973. As the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, the foundations of a full-fledged peace process have now been laid. But, unfortunately, it is quite likely that the fighting will still be continuing at this time next year,” Rachman concluded.

Western media have previously reported that security guarantees for Ukraine became the main stumbling block in the Abu Dhabi talks. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has said it does not expect quick progress in talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.