Zelenskyy Hopes Abu Dhabi Talks Will Lead to Direct Putin Meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed hope that upcoming trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi will open a path to a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking in Berlin on November 3 alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelenskyy said the adviser-level talks, scheduled for November 10–11, represent part of a broader diplomatic effort to end the war. "We are counting on the fact that work in this format and our other diplomatic steps will open the way to a trilateral format at the level of leaders," Zelenskyy told reporters.

The Abu Dhabi talks will be mediated by the United States and focus on security guarantees for both Russia and Ukraine, post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, and humanitarian efforts. US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the talks on Monday. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Russian participation, with the delegation to be led by former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky and including representatives from multiple government agencies, including the Foreign Ministry. Peskov stated that mutual security guarantees will be central to the discussions, framing the issue as one of "indivisible security"—that no state's security should be ensured at the expense of another.

Peskov ruled out European participation in the Abu Dhabi format, noting that a trilateral structure between Russia, Ukraine, and the US was originally agreed. He indicated that Russia will separately seek dialogue with European countries on a future European security system, though he expressed frustration about identifying authorised European negotiators. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Merz acknowledged the diplomatic effort but stated that he did not yet see Russia "seriously engaging" in negotiations about a ceasefire and peace agreement.

The talks follow a recent display of cooperation: last week, human rights ombudsmen from Russia and Ukraine oversaw a local ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky to evacuate residents and deliver aid, brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump. Putin and Zelenskyy have not had direct contact since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022, and their representatives have held only a small number of negotiation rounds. European governments have pressed for involvement in broader peace negotiations but are not expected to attend the Abu Dhabi talks; instead, US envoys plan to meet representatives from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, NATO, and the European Union in Brussels to discuss security guarantees and post-war architecture.