Zelenskyy hopes for trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi as Kremlin rejects European involvement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his hope for a trilateral meeting involving negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States to be held in Abu Dhabi between November 6 and 10, 2026. The proposed talks aim to facilitate progress toward a sustainable peace agreement to conclude the ongoing conflict. Zelenskyy emphasized that Kyiv continues to advocate for the active involvement of European nations in the peace process, arguing that European unity and increased pressure on Moscow are essential requirements for a successful resolution.

Conversely, the Kremlin has firmly rejected the inclusion of European representatives in the upcoming discussions. Foreign policy advisor Yury Ushakov confirmed that European officials will not be invited to the next round of talks. Furthermore, the Kremlin indicated that no specific date for the meeting in Abu Dhabi has been formally finalized, contradicting the timeline suggested by the Ukrainian side. Ushakov noted that the possibility of European participation was not addressed during recent phone calls between President Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.