"As early as tomorrow": Zelenskyy said who determines the timing of the talks in Abu Dhabi

The President of Ukraine spoke about this during an online meeting at the Hudson Institute. He noted that the Ukrainian side had expected the dialogue to take place as early as October, but the Russian side “came up with yet another excuse to refuse.”

Negotiation Format and Key Issues

In November, we have an agreement to hold a trilateral meeting in the “Ukraine–U.S.–Russia” format at the level of teams, and we hope it will take place. The plan is to meet in the first half of November, as soon as possible. We’re ready to meet any day – even tomorrow – but it all depends on the Russians– Zelenskyy said.

The head of state emphasized that peace talks must take place with the participation of American and European partners.

The president also stressed the importance of moving from technical consultations between teams to a meeting of heads of state, “since key issues can only be resolved at the highest level.” For now, the agenda for the upcoming dialogue in Abu Dhabi remains focused on ending the war, bringing peace closer, and preparing the groundwork necessary for a summit-level meeting.

“We will support proposals for a ceasefire, an end to the war, an energy ceasefire – any ceasefire, under any circumstances – as well as humanitarian initiatives, the return of prisoners, and diplomacy,”– Zelenskyy emphasized.

According to him, Russia has repeatedly declared its readiness for negotiations but has subsequently changed or revoked its decisions. That is why the Ukrainian side’s key priority is to hold a meeting as soon as possible to work toward a just peace.

Earlier, the Kremlin also claimed that the next round of trilateral talks will take place in Abu Dhabi. Prior to this, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Moscow supports the meeting between the teams following the results of U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff’s trip to Russia.