Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv expects talks with Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi by Nov. 10, leaving the timing unresolved as Moscow has not named a day.
The Ukrainian presidency’s Oct. 28 account said Kyiv was preparing for the meeting. Zelenskyy made the remarks alongside Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and said he hoped possible escalation in the Middle East would not interfere. Interfax-Ukraine reported that the venue could change.
Interfax-Ukraine reported that Zelenskyy hoped the meeting would take place from Nov. 6 to 10 and that Kyiv expected the U.S. side to provide a date after Nov. 4.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Moscow had mentioned mid-November but had not set a day, Interfax reported, citing his interview with Vesti. Ushakov said a date would be announced soon.
The planned meeting is for negotiating teams. In an Oct. 23 statement, Zelenskyy said the delegations had agreed to begin technical discussions in early November after a planned October session did not take place. He said technical discussions should lead to a meeting of leaders to address key issues.
The role of Europe is disputed. Zelenskyy said Europe “must also be part of this conversation,” while Interfax reported that Ushakov said European representatives would not take part in the trilateral round. The differing expectations follow earlier EconoTimes coverage of EU expectations for Ukraine talks.
Kyiv expects Washington to provide a date after Nov. 4, Interfax-Ukraine reported. Moscow has said it will announce its date soon but has not given a specific day.
