---
title: "Zelenskyy: Ukraine Wants Abu Dhabi Meeting Before US, China and Russia Summit"
description: "Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would like to hold a trilateral meeting with the US and Russia in Abu Dhabi before a possible US-China-Russia summit, calling the idea of a \"new Yalta\" unacceptable for the modern world."
date: 2026-10-28T08:00:45.660Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelenskyy-abu-dhabi-meeting-before-summit
tags: [ukraine, zelensky, abu-dhabi, us-russia-talks, china, diplomacy, peace-talks]
author: "Marina Slivenko"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Zelenskyy: Ukraine Wants Abu Dhabi Meeting Before US, China and Russia Summit

![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks against the background of the official flag indoors](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/28/zelensky-abu-dabi-vstrecha-do-sammita-ssha-kitaya-rf/zelensky-abu-dabi-vstrecha-do-sammita-ssha-kitaya-rf-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would like to meet with American and Russian teams in Abu Dhabi prior to a potential US, China, and Russia summit.
- The Ukrainian president warned against the risk of "Yalta-2, 3, 4", stating that in today's fragmented world, a redistribution of influence among three powers is impossible.
- According to Zelenskyy's assessment, Russia is the most interested party in such a meeting, while China is the least interested.
- According to sources, Kyiv and Washington are urging Moscow to move the Abu Dhabi round a week ahead of November 10; Russia has not yet confirmed the date change.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Kyiv would like to hold a meeting with the American and Russian negotiating teams in Abu Dhabi even before a potential summit between the US, China, and Russia. The head of state made these remarks during a conversation with journalists, RBC-Ukraine reports. According to him, it is not yet known for certain what exactly will be discussed at the meeting of the three powers, but, in Zelenskyy's estimation, the Middle East and the war in Ukraine will be at the center of their attention.

### Kyiv’s Priority: Abu Dhabi Before the Three-Power Summit

"Let's see what kind of meeting this will be. We would very much like our meeting in Abu Dhabi to take place before that," Zelenskyy concluded. Thus, the Ukrainian side is trying to secure its own round of negotiations involving the US and Russia before the potential trilateral summit of the US, China, and Russia takes place. According to Ukrainian and American sources, Kyiv and Washington are also urging Moscow not to wait for the initially designated November 10 date and to start a new round in the Emirati capital at least seven days earlier; Russia, which has stated its readiness to resume negotiations, has not yet confirmed the date change.

### "Yalta-2, 3, 4": Zelenskyy Opposes Redistribution of Influence

Commenting on the very idea of a meeting between the three major powers, the Ukrainian president warned of the risk of a new "Yalta-style" settlement. "I really wouldn't want this to be 'Yalta-2, 3, 4', when there is a redistribution of influence. I would even say not of influence, but of opinions — that it is possible to redistribute things this way," he stated. Zelenskyy emphasized that the modern "fragmented" and technologically different world is very different from the era of the Second World War, and in such realities, redistribution between three large countries is impossible, in his opinion.

### Who Wants the Meeting the Most: The President’s Assessment

Zelenskyy drew attention to which side is most interested in the summit. "I would draw attention to who wants this meeting the most. I believe that after Alaska, this will be Russia's second such diplomatic, serious advantage if everything happens exactly as the Russians are currently 'leaking' regarding their desires for a new 'Yalta'. I think Russia wants it the most," he said. At the same time, according to his assessment, China is the least interested in such a meeting, as it will not receive tangible benefits from it.

### Context: Brussels, Abu Dhabi, and Date Shifts

Zelenskyy's statement came against the backdrop of active diplomatic engagement: on October 27–28 in Brussels, at the level of the President of Ukraine, the American side, the EU, and the NATO Secretary General, a meeting was planned on security guarantees and ending the war, which, according to Zelenskyy, was initiated by the American side. The diplomatic route, according to Ukrainian and foreign media reports, involves coordination in Brussels, technical negotiations in Abu Dhabi with the participation of Ukraine, the US, and Russia, and, if there is progress, a possible leaders' summit. The Ukrainian team also explained its persistence in shifting dates by noting that in December every week will matter for people left without electricity, water, and heating, and the dates themselves fall during the period after the US midterm congressional elections.

Earlier, Zelenskyy commented on Russia's demands to roll back NATO to its 1997 level, voiced a warning to the US regarding the resumption of economic cooperation with Russia, and discussed how the war in the Middle East has hit Ukraine. Thus, the question of the sequence and date of meetings in Abu Dhabi and the potential three-power summit is becoming one of the key issues in the current diplomatic track.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Зеленский хочет провести встречу в Абу-Даби до переговоров США, Китая и РФ](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zelenskiy-hoche-provesti-zustrich-abu-dabi-1793174068.html) - Primary source: direct statements by Zelenskyy regarding the desired Abu Dhabi meeting before the US-China-Russia summit, the assessment of "Yalta-2,3,4", and the parties' interests.
- [Украина и США хотят провести переговоры с Россией в Абу-Даби раньше — СМИ](https://zn.ua/POLITICS/ukraina-i-ssha-namereny-provesti-perehovory-s-rossiej-v-abu-dabi-ranshe-smi.html) - Adds context: Kyiv and Washington's call to move the round a week earlier than November 10, Russia's lack of confirmation regarding the date, the argument about December and heating, and the connection to the US congressional elections.
- [Помогут ли новые переговоры приблизить окончание войны: что известно о встречах Украины, США и РФ](https://my.ua/news/cluster/2026-10-26-pomogut-li-novye-peregovory-priblizit-okonchanie-voiny-chto-izvestno-o-vstrechakh-ukrainy-ssha-i-rf) - Confirms the diplomatic route: Brussels on Oct 27–28 at the presidential level with the US, EU, and NATO, followed by technical talks in Abu Dhabi and a possible leaders' summit.
- [Украина хотела бы провести трехстороннюю встречу в Абу-Даби до встречи США, Китая и России ...](https://nv.ua/world/geopolitics/peregovory-o-zavershenii-voyny-ukraina-stremitsya-k-vstreche-s-ssha-i-rf-do-sammita-50654019.html) - Independent confirmation of the main thesis: Ukraine strives for a trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi prior to a potential US-China-Russia meeting.

## FAQ

### What exactly did Zelenskyy say about the Abu Dhabi meeting?

He stated that Ukraine would like to hold a meeting with the American and Russian teams in Abu Dhabi even before a possible summit between the US, China, and Russia.

### Why is Zelenskyy wary of the US, China, and Russia meeting?

He warned of the risk of "Yalta-2, 3, 4" — a redistribution of influence or opinions among the three powers — and stated that in the modern fragmented and technologically distinct world, such a redistribution is impossible.

### Who, according to Zelenskyy's assessment, wants this meeting the most?

According to him, Russia is the most interested in the meeting, while China is the least, as it will not gain any benefits from it.

### What dates are being discussed for the negotiations?

According to sources, Kyiv and Washington are urging Moscow to start the Abu Dhabi round at least a week before November 10; Russia has not yet confirmed the date change. A presidential-level meeting involving the US, EU, and NATO was planned in Brussels for October 27–28.