In brief
President Zelenskyy affirmed that the upcoming U.S.-backed diplomatic session in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for November 10‑11, should pave the way for a trilateral meeting with President Putin. Speaking in Berlin with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, he stressed the need for serious ceasefire negotiations; Merz, however, said Russia had yet to fully engage. An intergovernmental delegation from Russia is expected to attend, led by former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky, as Ukraine and the U.S. prepare for post‑war security talks.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that United States‑mediated talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi could ultimately trigger a face‑to‑face meeting between him and President Vladimir Putin. The comments came as Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met in Berlin, where the two leaders discussed ongoing ceasefire diplomacy amid the war that began in February 2022.
In an interview with reporters, Zelenskyy noted that the adviser‑level talks slated for November 10 and 11 aim to lay the groundwork for a “trilateral format at the level of leaders.” He framed the Abu Dhabi meetings as part of a broader diplomatic push to end the conflict.
Zelenskyy told reporters, “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.”
Merz, however, expressed skepticism that Russia has yet been ready to engage seriously over a ceasefire.
Merz told the press, “I do not see that happening so far.”The German chancellor added that it was “important that Russia finally and seriously engages in negotiations about a ceasefire and a subsequent peace agreement.”
The talks are part of a new round announced by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who said the meeting would focus on post‑war security arrangements, de‑escalation, humanitarian efforts and next steps toward peace. Witkoff described the session as “a step forward” and a “clear signal that the two sides are willing to work together.”
According to the Russian news agency TASS, a delegation will attend the Abu Dhabi talks led once again by Vladimir Medinsky, a former Culture Minister with ties to the Kremlin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the delegation’s participation, though he did not elaborate on the group’s objectives.
The timing of the meetings follows a rare cooperation effort this month. Human rights ombudsmen from Russia and Ukraine supervised a local ceasefire in the Russian‑occupied city of Oleshky, evacuating residents and delivering aid in a mission brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. The incident — one of the most visible signs of collaboration since the invasion began — illustrated that both sides are willing to engage in pragmatic negotiations.
Since the start of the war, President Putin and President Zelenskyy have not had direct contact, and their representatives have held only a handful of negotiation rounds. The possibility of a direct meeting after the Abu Dhabi talks, therefore, remains an open question. Analysts weigh whether the U.S. mediated format can create a bridge for the leaders, or whether the skepticism expressed by Chancellor Merz indicates deeper obstacles.
Key open questions emerging from the dialogue include:
• Whether the advisory talks on November 10‑11 will produce concrete proposals for a ceasefire that both sides can accept. The forward‑going tone of U.S. envoy Witkoff contrasts with the cautious perspective of German chancellor Merz.
• Whether President Putin will attend any meeting that includes the Ukrainian president up to the agreed “trilateral format.” Present tensions over post‑war security arrangements and the status of occupied territories could shape that decision.
• The role of short‑term cooperation, as seen in the Oleshky ceasefire, in building trust enough to elevate discussions to a higher diplomatic plane. The intervention of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump in that mission signals involvement from both sides, yet how far it will influence strategic negotiations is unclear.
For now, Zelenskyy’s stated optimism is one piece of a complex diplomatic puzzle. Meanwhile, U.S. and German officials urge a restart of engagement, and Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirms that a delegation will be present. The next week’s Abu Dhabi session will likely become the barometer for the potential shift toward higher‑level talks, possibly culminating in a historic meeting between the two heads of state. Whether that outcome materializes will depend on breakthroughs in ceasefire negotiations and Russia’s willingness to engage at the level of leaders.
