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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed hope that upcoming United States-mediated discussions with Russia in Abu Dhabi will pave the way for a trilateral meeting of leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy made the remarks in Berlin on Tuesday during a joint appearance with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, noting that the advisor-level sessions scheduled for November 10 and 11 form part of a wider diplomatic initiative to conclude the war.
Diplomatic Push and Leadership Goals
Zelenskyy told reporters that his side relies on this work format and other diplomatic measures to open a path to a leader-level trilateral format. When questioned about the Abu Dhabi meetings, Merz stated that it remains crucial for Russia to finally and seriously engage in negotiations regarding a ceasefire and subsequent peace agreement, adding that he has not observed such engagement so far.
Zelenskyy traveled to Berlin on an unannounced visit for security reasons. Upon arrival, he posted on X that the agenda would prioritize diplomatic coordination, bolstering air defences, and providing support for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the upcoming round of negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine, and the US on Monday. Witkoff stated the discussions will concentrate on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian initiatives, and subsequent steps toward peace. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov verified that a Russian delegation will participate, with former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky leading the group again, as reported by the state news agency TASS.
European Involvement and Financial Pressures
The upcoming meetings follow a rare display of cooperation between the conflicting parties, after human rights ombudsmen from both nations supervised a local ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky last week to evacuate civilians and deliver aid in a mission brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump. Putin and Zelenskyy have not communicated directly since the start of the invasion, and their representatives have conducted only a limited number of talks.
Reporting from Berlin for Al Jazeera, Dominic Kane noted a clear sense of positivity from Zelenskyy and Merz regarding the Abu Dhabi gathering as a step forward. However, Kane highlighted questions raised by journalists regarding why European nations are absent from the Abu Dhabi table despite being in lockstep with Ukraine and Europe, noting that European governments have insisted on participating in the negotiations even though they are unlikely to be present.
Instead, US envoys are scheduled to meet representatives from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, NATO, and the European Union in Brussels this week to address security guarantees for Ukraine and the post-war security architecture for Europe. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine requires an additional 70 billion euros, equivalent to $77.5 billion, from European countries next year.
Kane reported that while successive German governments have committed full support to finance Ukraine’s defense and supply munitions, Merz recognizes that the financial burden has become a significant issue as domestic economies face threats. The cost of living has become a serious concern for many voters, and political parties opposing aid to Ukraine, such as the far-right Alternative for Germany and the left-wing Die Linke, are gaining traction in polls and elections.
Upcoming International Summits
Several high-level summits are scheduled before the end of the year, including potential three-way talks between US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Putin on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18 and 19.
The Coalition of the Willing, comprising roughly 35 nations supporting Ukraine, is set to meet in Berlin around the same timeframe. The Group of 20 summit will follow in Florida from December 13 to 15, though uncertainty remains regarding whether Putin will attend for the first time since the invasion began.
