Zelensky Hopes for Trilateral Meeting with US and Russia in Abu Dhabi by 10 November

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Kyiv expects a three-way meeting with the United States and Russia to take place in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, by 10 November. The meeting is part of efforts to open negotiations over Russia's war against Ukraine. Zelensky spoke to the media together with Prime Minister Rob Jetten.

According to the president, preparations for the meeting are continuing. He said he very much hopes that escalation in the Middle East, which is currently the subject of much discussion, will not interfere.

More than one technical meeting possible

Responding to a question, Zelensky said several such technical meetings could be held. In his assessment, the agenda includes ceasefires in the energy sector and at sea, a prisoner exchange and many humanitarian issues, not only territory. Ukraine is ready to discuss territorial matters, he said, but only at the level of leaders.

Background

Earlier, Zelensky said that after European leaders spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, there was a sense that Russia was serious about a meeting of negotiating teams in Abu Dhabi. He also said that whether the trilateral meeting of Ukrainian, Russian and US technical teams, planned for early November, goes ahead depends on the American side.