Zelenskyy opens door to Russia security guarantees, Abu Dhabi talks due in November

Kyiv opens the door to security talks

Volodymyr Zelenskyy met journalists in Kyiv on 27 October and, for the first time, allowed that talks on security guarantees for Russia could form part of a future peace agreement, according to the Financial Times. He insisted that Ukraine's own security comes first and that the war must end before Moscow's security demands are considered. The newspaper described the stance as a shift from Kyiv's earlier position, which together with Western allies had rejected Russian demands as an attempt to rebuild a Russian sphere of influence. Zelenskyy also said territorial questions should be handled only at leader level, and that Ukraine was ready to discuss a US proposal for a demilitarized zone on both sides of the front line.

Abu Dhabi talks and the European role

Delegations from Ukraine, Russia and the United States are expected to meet in Abu Dhabi in early November, a round Zelenskyy described as technical. According to his account, the agenda covers a possible ceasefire in the energy sector and at sea, along with security guarantees for Ukraine. He added that if a postwar security system needs European states, Europe must take part in those negotiations. Earlier trilateral talks were held last year without significant results, and the most recent round took place in February 2026. Interfax, citing Yuri Ushakov, an adviser to Vladimir Putin on foreign policy, reported on 28 October that European representatives will not join the next round.

Nordic call and Moscow's response

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere spoke by phone with Vladimir Putin, and Zelenskyy said both came away with the impression that Moscow takes the planned Abu Dhabi negotiations seriously. He had earlier defended the decision by the two Nordic leaders after their call drew mixed reactions in Europe. Sergei Lavrov said the call raised no new issues and warned of a possible escalation of the war. The Financial Times reported that Zelenskyy's comments reflect growing concern in Kyiv about closer contacts between Washington and Moscow, and that the United States and Russia had discussed possible economic cooperation in the oil sector, air transport and titanium production.

Yalta warning and the APEC meeting

Zelenskyy voiced alarm at the prospect of spheres of influence being divided in the manner of the Yalta conference. He said:

“Very much would not like this to be Yalta 2, 3 or 4, meaning a new division of influence.”

He argued that the world has changed, technologically and politically, so a three-way split is not realistic, even though Russia wants one. He also said such an arrangement would serve Russia more than China, and would be Russia's second serious diplomatic advantage since Alaska if it followed Moscow's current suggestions for a new Yalta.

“That kind of division is simply impossible.”

Ukraine would like the Abu Dhabi round to take place before any possible meeting of the leaders of the United States, China and Russia at the APEC summit in China on 17-18 November, where Zelenskyy expects the Middle East and the war in Ukraine to be discussed. He also said the timing of the Abu Dhabi meeting depends on the American side, which asked to move a Brussels meeting with US officials, EU leaders and the NATO secretary general because of the situation in the Middle East.