Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed hope that upcoming diplomatic discussions in Abu Dhabi will lead to a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The comments came during a visit to Berlin on Tuesday, where Zelenskyy met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the ongoing war and future peace efforts.
Abu Dhabi Peace Talks
The adviser-level talks are scheduled for November 10 and 11 in the United Arab Emirates. They are being mediated by the United States and will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, and humanitarian efforts. US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the new round of discussions on Monday, describing them as a step toward a broader peace agreement.
Zelenskyy told reporters in Berlin that he is counting on these working-level sessions to open the door for a trilateral meeting of leaders. “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,” he said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that a Russian delegation would attend the talks. The group is expected to be led by Vladimir Medinsky, the former Culture Minister, continuing the pattern of previous negotiation rounds. Putin and Zelenskyy have not had direct contact since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
European Concerns and Funding Pressures
Chancellor Merz emphasized the need for Russia to engage seriously in negotiations. He stated that it was important for Moscow to finally commit to a ceasefire and a subsequent peace agreement. The meeting in Berlin was kept secret until Zelenskyy’s arrival for security reasons.
Despite the diplomatic progress, questions remain about European involvement. Al Jazeera reporter Dominic Kane noted that journalists in Berlin raised concerns about why European nations are not included in the Abu Dhabi talks. European governments have insisted on being part of the negotiations, but they are unlikely to be at the table in the UAE.
Instead, US envoys are scheduled to meet with representatives from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, NATO, and the European Union in Brussels this week. The discussions will focus on security guarantees for Ukraine and the post-war security architecture for Europe.
Financial pressures are also mounting on European allies. Zelenskyy has requested an additional 70 billion euros from European countries for the coming year. Merz is aware that the cost of supporting Ukraine has become a sensitive issue for German voters. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the left-wing Die Linke party are gaining ground in polls by opposing continued funding.
Upcoming International Summits
The diplomatic push coincides with a series of major international events. US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Putin may hold three-way talks on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18 and 19.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of the Willing, a group of about 35 countries supporting Ukraine, is set to meet in Berlin around the same time. The Group of 20 summit will follow in Florida from December 13 to 15. It remains unclear whether Putin will attend that event, marking his first potential appearance at a G20 summit since the invasion began.
Recent weeks have seen unusual cooperation between the warring sides. Last week, human rights ombudsmen from Russia and Ukraine oversaw a local ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. The mission, brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump, allowed for the evacuation of residents and the delivery of aid.
Source: Al Jazeera
