Zelenskyy: Russia seems serious about talks in Abu Dhabi

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that, following a conversation between European leaders and Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, there are indications that Russia is serious about a meeting of the negotiating teams in Abu Dhabi.

Source: Ukrinform, citing Zelenskyy during a meeting with journalists, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "We discussed the topics. Overall, we had a briefing in Oslo on the topics for the planned future trilateral meeting of negotiating groups in November in Abu Dhabi. And they wanted to discuss this with me and then – with the leader of Russia."

Details: Zelenskyy noted that some of Kyiv's partners had spoken to the Russian leader on the morning of 27 October, conveyed a common position and heard his views.

Quote: "The partners conveyed that there are indications that the Russians are serious about the meeting in Abu Dhabi. The agenda is to include the following issues: initial de-escalation steps, priorities for the Ukrainian side – particularly security ones and, overall, ending this war."

Details: Zelenskyy added that the technical groups' meeting could address "de-escalation steps regarding energy and at sea, the exchange of prisoners of war and their return home, and discussions on the format for a trilateral meeting at the leadership level".

Quote: "This is the agenda from our side, which we discussed with our American partners."

Details: The president also stressed that security guarantees for Ukraine remain an important issue.

Quote: "We have a request to the Americans and Europeans regarding that matter. And Russia raises the same question, stating that they also need security guarantees. This is what is known as of today."

Background:

• Zelenskyy said that the planned trilateral meeting of technical teams from Ukraine, Russia and the US in early November depends on the American side.
• During a phone call with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Russian leader Vladimir Putin spent almost the entire conversation discussing the "initial reasons for the conflict" with Ukraine instead of discussing how to end the war.

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