"The Road to the Leaders' Meeting": Zelenskyy Shares His Expectations for the Talks in Abu Dhabi
Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are preparing for peace talks at the delegation level in Abu Dhabi to discuss key security issues. The talks between the delegations may pave the way for a meeting between the countries' leaders.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made this statement during a press briefing following his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Zelenskyy on the format of the talks
According to Zelenskyy, the dialogue at the delegation level is intended to lay the groundwork for a meeting at the level of heads of state.
We expect that working in this format (at the team level – 24 Channel) and our other diplomatic efforts will open the way to a trilateral format at the leaders’ level. It is precisely this format, at the leaders’ level, that can resolve key issues to achieve lasting peace and guaranteed security,
– Zelenskyy emphasized.
The Ukrainian side, together with Germany and other partners, is coordinating issues in the negotiations, forming a common position on halting Russian aggression.
Europe is involved in the process – this is essential – and in the process of achieving peace. And we are doing everything we can to ensure that we have a shared European perspective on all security challenges and on how and under what conditions this war should end. Peace must be dignified, and only then can it be lasting,
– Zelenskyy concluded.
What are the expectations for the talks in the UAE?
The head of state also noted that the U.S. side has already signaled its intention to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine – a package for the country’s recovery. A list of topics that the Ukrainian delegation hopes to address during the consultations in Abu Dhabi is currently being finalized.
Among the key issues on the agenda, Kyiv highlights energy, shipping, and prisoner exchanges.
For us, these are priorities – energy, meaning a ceasefire on both sides; grain – unblocking the Black Sea. The third aspect is people. In what format can we increase the exchange and make it more intensive? And also – preparing for a trilateral leaders’ meeting with European participation,
– Zelenskyy noted.
As a reminder, the next round of trilateral working-level talks is scheduled for November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi. This will be preceded by a meeting of teams from Ukraine, the U.S., the European Union, and NATO in Brussels to discuss agreement on security guarantees and Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.