Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv expects the coordination of a date for a trilateral meeting involving the US and Russia, which should serve as a step toward ending the war. According to him, the meeting is being prepared in the format of technical negotiations and is planned in Abu Dhabi, with the estimated window between November 6 and 10. The statement was made during a briefing with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and was communicated by the President's Office.
Preparation of the meeting in Abu Dhabi
Zelenskyy reported that the American side proposed preparing and holding a trilateral meeting at the technical level, naming the United Arab Emirates as the venue. "Regarding the trilateral meeting, the American side proposed preparing it. And to meet in a trilateral format at the technical level. We are waiting for proposals from the US regarding the date. As for the location, the United States proposed the Emirates," he said. Thus, Kyiv is currently essentially waiting for a specific date proposal from Washington.
Window of November 6–10 and connection to November 4
The Ukrainian leader specified that he expects the meeting before November 10 and hopes it will take place precisely within the November 6–10 range. According to him, the date will be determined after November 4: "We hope they will be ready with all the answers after their elections, and it is clear that after November 4 we will have a date." Zelenskyy also expressed concern that escalation processes in the Middle East, which he noted are currently being widely discussed, could affect preparation progress.
Issue of the venue: divergence in assessments
Despite the US proposal to hold the meeting in the UAE, Zelenskyy acknowledged that the location could change: "One way or another, the technical trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi will take place," although, according to him, a change of venue is possible. Meanwhile, as RBC-Ukraine reported earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Abu Dhabi is not necessarily going to be the venue for peace talks, which contradicts earlier formulations by the Russian side and the US proposal.
Topics of negotiations: from children to territories
Zelenskyy listed the key topics Ukraine intends to bring to the negotiating table: the return of children, a wide range of humanitarian issues, and the issue of territories. According to him, territories are the most crucial issue for the Russian and American sides, and Ukraine is ready to discuss this matter, but "at the level of leaders." He also added that the US could prepare the trilateral meeting specifically at the level of heads of state if the course of technical contacts requires it.
Context: Brussels, Oslo, and Europe's role
Commenting on the negotiation dynamics, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine and European partners discussed how to ensure the consideration of a common position and recalled "good meetings in Oslo." He also reported that the planned meeting in Brussels was postponed by the American side and urged not to change dates too often. In his assessment, the goal is "to move this war to the end, rather than simply continuing it," which is why, according to him, one or two meetings are enough if they yield results.
