In brief
During a Berlin visit, Zelenskyy met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and expressed optimism that the November 10‑11 U.S.‑led talks in Abu Dhabi would pave the way for a direct meeting with Putin. The German chancellor voiced doubts about substantial progress, while the U.S. envoy announced the agenda for the talks and a Russian delegation, led by former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky, was confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. In a separate diplomatic effort, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump brokered a local ceasefire in Oleshky, marking another attempt at dialogue.
In Berlin on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the upcoming U.S.-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi, expressing hope that they will lead to a three‑way meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting came after Zelenskyy’s arrival was kept secret for security reasons, and the session was held in a neutral setting with limited media coverage.
Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy said,
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.
When asked about the significance of the Abu Dhabi negotiations, Merz replied that “it is important that Russia finally and seriously engages in negotiations about a ceasefire and a subsequent peace agreement,” but added,
I do not see that happening so far.
The U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced the new round of talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States on Monday, explaining that the discussion will focus on “post‑war security arrangements, de‑escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace.” He also noted that the advisor‑level talks are scheduled for November 10 and 11.
Russian officials also confirmed the delegation’s participation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that a Russian delegation would attend the meetings, led as before by former Cultural Minister Vladimir Medinsky, according to the state news agency TASS. This cooperation is seen as a rare motion toward dialogue since the full‑scale invasion began in February 2022.
In parallel diplomatic efforts, a local ceasefire was brokered in the Russian‑occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky. Human rights ombudsmen from both Russia and Ukraine supervised the evacuation and delivery of aid, with the initiative facilitated by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. This local operation is one of the most noticeable gestures toward cooperation in the conflict zone.
Observers noted a clear mood of cautious optimism at the Berlin meeting, with Zelenskyy and Merz both aware that the Abu Dhabi talks represented a strategic step, though the German chancellor underscored the challenges of meaningful progress. The unfolding series of engagements illustrates a broader diplomatic push to end the conflict, with the United States playing a central mediating role.
