Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has suggested that trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States scheduled for February 1 in Abu Dhabi could be postponed due to rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, Vedomosti reported on January 30.

"I don't know when the next meeting will be. It was supposed to be on Sunday. We agreed that it will be held in Abu Dhabi. And it's very important for us that everyone we agreed on attends, because everyone is waiting for feedback. But the date or location could be changed. Because, in our opinion, something is happening with America and Iran. And these things could likely impact the date," Zelenskiy said.

Russia, Ukraine, and the US have been holding three-way negotiations in Abu Dhabi since January 23, with direct talks between the two sides; however, ongoing tensions between the Americans and Iranians have potentially paused those talks. 

Zelenskiy also stated that he does not intend to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and invites the Russian leader to Kyiv.

"I can definitely invite him to Kyiv; let him come. I'm publicly inviting him. But if someone doesn't want to meet but can't say so directly for some reason, then these invitations to Moscow are issued," Zelenskiy said.

The Kremlin previously described the talks between the two warring neighbours as "very complicated".

Igor Kostyukov, chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Directorate and head of the Russian delegation, said on January 29 that the Ukrainians had a "sad mood" at the meetings, while the Russian side was in "good" spirits.

The Ukrainian leader’s comments follow a surprise visit by the UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on January 29, bne Intellinews previously reported, citing Russian state media TASS.

"I would especially like to acknowledge the efforts of the Emirati side in the context of resolving the Ukraine crisis, its contribution to holding prisoner exchanges and assistance to hosting various forms of contacts on UAE soil," Putin said, adding that Russia highly appreciated these efforts.

The US Navy aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln entered the Indian Ocean on January 26 and is approaching Iran, where it could support potential operations against the country in terms of both striking capabilities and defending regional allies from possible Iranian retaliation, bnm IntelliNews noted.