Pistorius calls strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid 'especially cynical'

Russia continues to attack civilian energy infrastructure “with relentless force and brutality during the harsh winter.” He described these actions as “terror against the Ukrainian civilian population in violation of international law.”

Amid frequent attacks, Pistorius noted that Ukraine is facing a shortage of ammunition for air defense systems. He said that German IRIS-T systems are being delivered “more or less continuously,” while deliveries of U.S.-made Patriot systems are not possible. The reason, he explained, is that the Bundeswehr has already used more than one-third of its Patriot stockpiles and is awaiting new deliveries from the United States.

Ukraine–Russia–U.S. talks in the UAE

The first trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia took place in the United Arab Emirates on Jan. 23. Head of the Ukrainian delegation Rustem Umerov said the parties discussed possible parameters for ending the war and the future logic of the negotiation process.

As reported by Reuters, the first day of talks in Abu Dhabi produced no compromises on territorial issues.

On Jan. 22, Yury Ushakov, an aide to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, claimed that “without resolving the territorial issue under the Anchorage formula, there can be no expectation of a long-term settlement.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also insisted on discussing the so-called Anchorage formula, without specifying its contents.

On Jan. 24, trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia in Abu Dhabi continued and lasted more than three hours.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the negotiations were constructive, with the main focus on potential parameters for ending the war.

According to CNN, citing sources, U.S. officials believe the Abu Dhabi talks “exceeded expectations.” One American official described the meeting as a “significant step forward” following months of “quiet diplomacy.”

On Jan. 26, Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian, American, and Russian teams will meet again on Feb. 1.