Zelenskyy: Putin Call Signals Russian Commitment to Abu Dhabi Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that Moscow is treating the upcoming Abu Dhabi negotiations with seriousness. He cited a recent dialogue between European leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin as the primary evidence for this shift in tone.

Zelenskyy shared these remarks with reporters on October 28, 2026. He explained that a briefing took place in Oslo regarding the agenda for a trilateral meeting of negotiating groups scheduled for November. Participants in that Oslo session intended to consult with Zelenskyy before speaking with the Russian leader.

The president confirmed that several Kyiv partners spoke with Putin on the morning of October 27. They presented a unified position and reviewed Putin's perspective. Zelenskyy stated, "The partners conveyed that there are indications that the Russians are serious about the meeting in Abu Dhabi."

The proposed agenda includes initial de-escalation measures, Ukrainian security priorities, and the objective of ending the conflict. Technical teams are expected to address energy infrastructure and maritime issues. They will also handle the exchange and repatriation of prisoners of war. Additionally, the groups will discuss the format for a future leadership-level trilateral meeting. Zelenskyy noted that this agenda was developed by Ukraine and reviewed with American partners.

Security guarantees remain a central point of contention for Kyiv. Zelenskyy said, "We have a request to the Americans and Europeans regarding that matter." He observed that Russia also seeks security assurances. He added, "This is what is known as of today." The timing of the early November trilateral meeting involving technical teams from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States currently rests with the American delegation.

The tone of the October 27 phone call was reportedly less optimistic than Zelenskyy's assessment. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke with Putin during that call. According to reports, Putin focused on the initial causes of the conflict for nearly the entire duration of the conversation rather than addressing how to conclude the war.