The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is prepared to hold a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin anywhere in the world, including Antarctica, but rules out the possibility of talks in Moscow. Kyiv is counting on the outcome of the trilateral consultations between Ukraine, the US and Russia in Abu Dhabi on 10–11 November, but believes that achieving a political breakthrough without a face-to-face meeting between the leaders will be difficult. This was stated by Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Andriy Melnyk, during a meeting of the Security Council.
- Zelenskyy is prepared to meet Putin anywhere in the world, except Moscow.
- Melnik believes that a face-to-face meeting between the leaders is essential for a political breakthrough.
- Ukraine accuses the Kremlin of using the negotiations to drag out the war.
Zelenskyy is ready for talks with Putin at the highest level
According to Melnik, Ukraine remains committed to a diplomatic resolution of the war, despite the actions of the Russian side. At the same time, negotiations at delegation level are unlikely to enable a definitive resolution of key political issues without the direct involvement of the presidents.
The diplomat noted that Zelensky willing to meet with Putin at the earliest opportunity. Among the potential locations, he mentioned Florida, G20 summit and even Antarctica. The only place where such a meeting would be unacceptable is Moscow.
Melnik emphasised that the results of the forthcoming talks in Abu Dhabi could pave the way for a leaders’ summit. However, there is currently no agreed date or venue for a face-to-face meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin.
Ukraine accuses Russia of using the negotiations to drag out the war
Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the UN stated that the Kremlin continues to use diplomatic channels as a means of buying time. In his view, Moscow is maintaining the negotiation process whilst simultaneously carrying out strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and stepping up information and psychological operations.
Melnik identified three areas of Russian activity: attacks on the civilian population, sabotage and psychological operations, and the use of diplomacy to prolong the war. He also accused Russia of attempting to undermine trust between Ukraine and its European partners.
Separately, the diplomat called on UN member states to speed up the transfer of air defence systems to Ukraine, particularly interceptor missiles for the systems Patriot.
Talks in Abu Dhabi are due to begin on 10 November
A new round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US and Russia is scheduled for 10–11 November in the United Arab Emirates. Key issues on the agenda include security guarantees, a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, the situation in the Black Sea and the exchange of prisoners of war.
The day before, the Head of the President’s Office Kirill Budanov He reported that the Ukrainian delegation had set off for Abu Dhabi. He cited the intensification of prisoner exchanges as one of Kyiv’s main priorities.
The previous trilateral talks took place in February 2026. The current meeting will mark the first resumption of this format following a nine-month hiatus.
