Ukraine-Russia talks: negotiators gather in Abu Dhabi in wake of ‘massive’ strikes on Kyiv – Europe live

Both sides downplay chances of immediate breakthrough in US-brokered talks as western allies reportedly weigh new defence pactHello and welcome to the Europe live blog. We will be bringing you all the latest updates as Ukrainian and Russian officials meet for their second round of talks in Abu Dhabi, brokered by the Trump administration. As Pjotr Sauer explains, the talks are expected to mirror last month’s format – but both sides have downplayed prospects of an immediate breakthrough.Here are some of the latest major news lines to catch up on:Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Moscow carried out a massive and “deliberate” attack on Monday night into Tuesday as temperatures in Kyiv plunged to -20C. It involved a record number of 71 ballistic missiles as well as 450 drones, he said, sent to destroy energy infrastructure.US president Donald Trump had said the new strikes did not – as Ukraine claimed – amount to a breach of Russia’s week-long commitment to hold off on striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure amid freezing winter temperatures, but Nato chief Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that the attacks “did not “signal seriousness about peace”.Under a proposal discussed between Ukrainian, European and US officials, sources briefed on the discussions have told the Financial Times, Kyiv has agreed with western allies that repeated breaches of any future ceasefire agreement from Russia would lead to a coordinated US-Europe military response.And meanwhile, as Julian Borger reports, the New Start treaty between the US and Russia expires on Thursday, removing the last remaining mutual limits on the world’s two biggest nuclear arsenals. Continue reading...