Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated he is hopeful that upcoming, US-mediated discussions in Abu Dhabi will serve as a catalyst for a high-level trilateral meeting involving himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin. During a visit to Berlin on Tuesday, where he met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Zelenskyy described the advisor-level talks, scheduled for November 10 and 11, as a significant component of a wider diplomatic effort to bring an end to the ongoing conflict.
Addressing reporters alongside the German Chancellor, President Zelenskyy emphasised his objective to transition from technical negotiations to a leadership-level dialogue. “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 stated. The Kremlin has confirmed that a Russian delegation, led by former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky, will be present at the talks in the United Arab Emirates.
Chancellor Merz, while acknowledging the diplomatic development, remained cautious regarding Moscow’s intentions. He stated that it is crucial for Russia to “finally and seriously” engage in ceasefire negotiations and substantive peace discussions. However, the Chancellor added, “I do not see that happening so far.” The meeting in Berlin, which had not been announced beforehand due to security protocols, also covered the necessity of strengthening Ukraine’s air defences and supporting its energy infrastructure.
The US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently confirmed that the upcoming session would address post-war security frameworks, de-escalation measures, and humanitarian efforts. These discussions follow a rare instance of cooperation between the two sides, where human rights ombudsmen from both nations, assisted by US First Lady Melania Trump, facilitated a local ceasefire in Oleshky to allow for civilian evacuations and aid delivery.
Despite the optimism surrounding the Abu Dhabi talks, observers have noted the absence of European representation at the table. While European nations have expressed a desire for direct involvement, they are not expected to be participants in the UAE-based meetings. Instead, US envoys are scheduled to meet with officials from the UK, France, Germany, the European Union, and NATO in Brussels to discuss regional security architecture and potential guarantees for Ukraine.
Economic challenges continue to loom over these diplomatic efforts, particularly within Europe. President Zelenskyy has indicated that Ukraine requires an additional 70 billion euros in assistance for the coming year. Chancellor Merz faces internal political pressure, as domestic concerns over the cost of living have bolstered opposition parties, such as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the left-wing Die Linke, which have questioned the continued financing of the Ukrainian war effort.
The diplomatic calendar remains crowded as the year draws to a close. There is speculation regarding potential three-way talks involving US President Donald Trump, President Xi Jinping, and President Putin on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, scheduled for November 18 and 19. Furthermore, a meeting of the 'Coalition of the Willing'—a group of approximately 35 countries supporting Ukraine—is planned in Berlin for the same period. The sequence of high-level engagements will culminate in the G20 summit in Florida, scheduled for mid-December, though it remains uncertain if the Russian President will attend.
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