MOSCOW

The situation in the Middle East makes it difficult to talk about a new round of negotiations on the Ukraine conflict, particularly in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates capital, Russia said Tuesday.

"For obvious reasons, it is difficult to discuss the possibility of a meeting in Abu Dhabi right now. As soon as it appears, we will notify you," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press briefing in Moscow.

He said the date and location of the next round of US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have yet to be determined.

Asked whether the pace of the negotiation process on Ukraine had changed due to the conflict in the Middle East, Peskov acknowledged that the American side now has "more work."

"We'll see; time will tell. So far, there are no indications on this," he replied when asked if the US has decreased its diplomatic efforts on Ukraine.

This year, Russia and Ukraine have held three rounds of US-mediated peace talks – two in Abu Dhabi and one in Geneva.

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that the next round might take place in early March, again in the UAE. However, the sudden US-Israeli attack on Iran has disrupted many plans.