Zelenskyy Eyes Putin Meeting Through US-Mediated Talks in Abu Dhabi

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his hope that the upcoming United States-mediated talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi will pave the way for a trilateral meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking in Berlin on Tuesday alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelenskyy indicated that these adviser-level talks, scheduled for November 10 and 11, are part of a broader diplomatic effort to end the ongoing war. "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," Zelenskyy stated to reporters.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz commented on the Abu Dhabi talks, emphasizing the importance of Russia engaging seriously in negotiations for a ceasefire and a subsequent peace agreement, noting, "I do not see that happening so far." Zelenskyy's visit to Berlin, which was not publicly announced due to security concerns, focused on diplomatic coordination, enhancing air defenses, and supporting Ukraine's energy sector, as he mentioned on X upon arrival. US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the new round of talks on Monday, stating that the discussions would cover "post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace." The Kremlin confirmed that a Russian delegation, led by former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky, would attend, according to the state news agency TASS.

The lead-up to these talks follows a rare instance of cooperation between the warring parties: last week, Russian and Ukrainian human rights ombudsmen oversaw a local ceasefire in Oleshky to facilitate the evacuation of residents and aid delivery, a mission brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump. Direct contact between Putin and Zelenskyy has been absent since the invasion, with their representatives holding only a few rounds of discussions. Al Jazeera's Dominic Kane, reporting from Berlin, observed a sense of optimism from both Zelenskyy and Merz regarding the Abu Dhabi meeting as a positive step forward.

A pertinent question was raised about European involvement, given the stated alignment between Europe and Ukraine, asking why Europeans would not be present at the Abu Dhabi talks. Kane noted a lack of a clear response, suggesting it might be a sensitive issue for European nations. While European governments have expressed a desire to be involved in negotiations, their participation in Abu Dhabi is unlikely. Instead, US envoys are scheduled to meet with representatives from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, NATO, and the European Union in Brussels this week to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe's post-war security framework.

Zelenskyy has indicated that Ukraine requires an additional 70 billion euros ($77.5 billion) from European countries next year. Kane highlighted that successive German governments have strongly supported Ukraine through financing and arms supplies. However, Chancellor Merz is aware that the financial burden of aiding Ukraine is becoming a significant concern, especially with economic pressures in Germany and other European countries. The rising cost of living is a pressing issue for many voters in Germany, benefiting parties like the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the left-wing Die Linke, which have seen increased support in polls and elections.

Several high-profile summits are planned before the year concludes. US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Putin may engage in trilateral discussions on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18 and 19. Concurrently, the Coalition of the Willing, comprising approximately 35 countries supporting Ukraine, is expected to convene in Berlin. The Group of 20 (G20) summit is scheduled to take place in Florida from December 13 to 15, with uncertainty surrounding Putin's attendance, which would be his first since the invasion.