In brief
At a Berlin meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged that the upcoming U.S.‑mediated talks in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10–11 could pave the way for a trilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Merz said Russia had yet to engage seriously in ceasefire negotiations. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the new round of talks, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed a Russian delegation led by former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky would attend.
In Berlin on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hopes United States‑mediated talks in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10‑11 can open the way to a three‑way meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a promise he repeated to reporters at the German capital.
Speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelenskyy described the Abu Dhabi talks as part of a broader diplomatic push 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,"he told reporters. Merz answered that Russia had yet to engage seriously in ceasefire negotiations, adding,
"I do not see that happening so far."
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff announced that the new round of talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States would focus on post‑war security arrangements, de‑escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that a Russian delegation would attend, led as before by former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky, according to the state news agency TASS.
Zelenskyy’s Berlin visit, which he said was not announced in advance for security reasons, also covered the coordination of diplomatic efforts, strengthening of air defences and support for Ukraine’s energy sector, topics he posted on X during the trip.
The Abu Dhabi talks follow a recent cooperation milestone when Russian and Ukrainian human rights ombudsmen oversaw a local ceasefire in the occupied city of Oleshky, a mission brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, and highlights the rare opportunities for contact between the two leaders.
