In brief
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin called on U.S.-mediated Abu Dhabi talks to open a three‑way meeting with Putin, but Chancellor Friedrich Merz doubts progress. U.S. special envoy announces the talks will address post‑war security, de‑escalation, and humanitarian efforts. A Russian delegation led by former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky is expected to attend, though Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov notes they have yet to seriously engage.
In Berlin on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and addressed reporters, stating that the United States‑mediated talks in Abu Dhabi scheduled for November 10‑11 could open a path to a three‑way meeting that includes Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelenskyy told the press that the adviser‑level talks were “part of a broader diplomatic push to end the war.” He added that “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.”
When asked whether the meetings in Abu Dhabi might prompt a direct meeting with Putin, Merz responded that it was “important that Russia finally and seriously engages in negotiations about a ceasefire and a subsequent peace agreement,” but added, “I do not see that happening so far.”
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced Monday that the new round of talks would focus on post‑war security arrangements, de‑escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace. He said that the discussions would involve Russia, Ukraine and the United States.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that a Russian delegation would attend the Abu Dhabi talks, led as before by former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky, a detail reported by the state news agency TASS.
Just last week, human rights ombudsmen from Russia and Ukraine oversaw a local ceasefire in the Russian‑occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky, a mission brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. The event was identified as one of the most notable displays of cooperation between the warring sides since Russia launched its full‑scale invasion in February 2022.
Diplomatic coordination, strengthening air defences, and support for Ukraine’s energy sector were highlighted by Zelenskyy in a post on X as priorities for the Berlin meeting. The visit was unannounced for security reasons, and the agenda was set to address a range of issues beyond the Abu Dhabi talks.
While Zelenskyy expressed optimism that the Abu Dhabi negotiations could ultimately lead to a formal meeting with Putin, Merz remained skeptical about Russia’s willingness to engage in serious talks. The Kremlin has not yet confirmed the extent of its participation, and the Russian delegation’s presence has been reported only in secondary sources.
At present, Zelenskyy and Merz both note that no direct contact has taken place between Zelenskyy and Putin since the invasion began, and that any leader‑level meeting would require Russia to commit to a structured, step‑by‑step process laid out in the Abu Dhabi framework.
In sum, the available reports confirm that Zelenskyy hopes the Abu Dhabi talks will translate into a face‑to‑face meeting with Putin, that the German Chancellor doubts Russia will seriously engage, that the United States is setting the agenda for post‑war security and humanitarian concerns, and that a Russian delegation led by Vladimir Medinsky is expected to attend—though no definitive agreement has been reached regarding a leader‑to‑leader encounter.
