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<\/p>\nFrom peace talks in Abu Dhabi to Europe\u2019s role in security guarantees and Ukraine\u2019s air defenses, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy laid out what it would take to end Russia\u2019s war.<\/p>\n
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A meeting between Ukrainian, American, and Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi could mark the first step toward a ceasefire in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says. Europe cannot be excluded from the negotiations. The United States would lead the process, given its ability to influence Russian leader Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n
Zelenskyy met with Ukrainian journalists to discuss potential negotiations in Abu Dhabi, talks between the leaders of Norway and Finland, as well as the Russian leader, and other issues critical to Ukraine, including the availability of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems, intelligence sharing, and the Starlink\/Starshield system.<\/p>\n
Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Abu Dhabi<\/p>\n The meeting in Abu Dhabi depends on the American side, much as the meeting in Brussels did, says Zelenskyy. Ukraine and Russia have both confirmed their readiness to participate, so the course of the process will depend on Washington\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n At the same time, Zelenskyy believes that meaningful negotiations cannot take place without Europe.<\/p>\n \n Security guarantees cannot be discussed without Europe.\n <\/p>\n President Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/p>\n He explained his position by outlining several possible formats:<\/p>\n The first format involves bilateral US security guarantees for Ukraine, based on an \u201cArticle 5-like\u201d system.<\/p>\n The second format involves the Coalition of the Willing with a US backstop. This arrangement cannot be discussed without Europe.<\/p>\n The third option is NATO. This, too, cannot be discussed without Europe, particularly the European countries that are members of the Alliance.<\/p>\n Another area of cooperation concerns Ukraine\u2019s postwar reconstruction, economic needs, and challenges. Europe currently finances weapons for Ukraine as well as social spending. Ukraine expects continued support for its reconstruction, something akin to a \u201cMarshall Plan.\u201d Such discussions would be impossible without Europe.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can discuss the conceptual issues with the Russians through American mediation,\u201d Zelenskyy said. \u201cBut if we move on to the security guarantees format and it\u2019s agreed that these guarantees will require Europe\u2019s involvement, then Europe has to be part of those discussions. And throughout all these years of war, it is Ukraine that has insisted that Europe must be involved in all substantive discussions. And we\u2019ve managed to make this point clear to the other participants and establish it as a requirement.\u201d<\/p>\n The importance of Europe\u2019s involvement also extends to Russia\u2019s renewed demands that NATO return to its borders as they stood at the end of the 20th century.<\/p>\n \u201cThey [Russia] want a treaty of their own with NATO, or with the United States as a key player in NATO,\u201d said Zelenskyy. \u201cI don\u2019t know all the details, but any broader security guarantees for Russia cannot be discussed with them until it\u2019s clear how and on what basis their war against Ukraine will end, and until we know what security guarantees we will have. First, we need to resolve the issue of this war, and only then look for answers to the questions Russia is raising based on its own views and expectations about security.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that any retreat or rollback of security commitments would represent a weakness for the Alliance.<\/p>\n Finland and Norway\u2019s talks with Putin ahead of Abu Dhabi peace negotiations<\/p>\n The initiative to speak with Putin came from the leaders of Norway and Finland. In their official statement, they explicitly noted that Norway and Finland represent themselves. They were speaking not simply as European countries but as Russia\u2019s neighbors.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is fair that they share this information with all Europeans and discuss the agenda with Ukraine, Europe, and the United States. They want to play a bigger role,\u201d Zelenskyy said. \u201cWhen it comes to the security guarantees that Ukraine wants to discuss and the security guarantees that Russia wants to discuss, they see this as a serious challenge for them, too\u2014as Russia\u2019s neighbors, as European countries, and as close partners of ours. I have a positive view of these leaders and these countries\u2014we are grateful to them. We\u2019re on a long journey, and we\u2019re making it together.\u201d<\/p>\n Zelenskyy said he had spoken with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr St\u00f8re and Finnish President Alexander Stubb following their meeting in Oslo and before their contact with the Russian side. They discussed the topics to be raised during the call, and Zelenskyy was subsequently briefed on the conversation. After the call with Putin, Zelenskyy was informed of the results.<\/p>\n \u201cThey had the impression the Russians are serious about the meeting in Abu Dhabi,\u201d Zelenskyy said. \u201cThe agenda should cover the following issues: initial steps toward de-escalation, the main priorities for the Ukrainian side\u2014particularly security priorities\u2014and, more broadly, ending this war.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Zelenskyy, the technical teams at the meeting will focus on steps toward de-escalation in the energy sector and at sea, prisoner exchanges and their return home, and discussions about the possible format of a trilateral meeting at the leaders\u2019 level.<\/p>\n Security guarantees for Ukraine remain a key issue.<\/p>\n Russia\u2019s territorial demands<\/p>\n Russia ties territorial issues to ending the war and determining the nature and scope of security guarantees, as those guarantees would apply to the territories controlled by each side.<\/p>\n Zelenskyy explained that one of the alternative proposals put forward by the American side, dating back to the \u201c28-point plan,\u201d involved demilitarized zones. The idea was subsequently discussed in different ways across various documents.<\/p>\n However, a number of questions remain unresolved:<\/p>\n What will happen to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant?<\/p>\n What will happen to certain territories that the Americans proposed addressing through \u201cland swaps\u201d?<\/p>\n The Donbas issue: There was a proposal to establish a buffer zone or demilitarized zone on both sides of the line of contact. As a compromise, the Ukrainian side was prepared to discuss this option.<\/p>\n The Kinburn Spit: A proposal involving the demilitarization of one section, which could be placed under Ukrainian control.<\/p>\n \u201cAll these issues concern territory,\u201d Zelenskyy said. \u201cThey can be set out in different formats, and that is what happened. When the diesel deal<\/a> happened, our teams discussed all these issues, and the American side once again raised the question of demilitarized zones. I saw this in some of the documents the Americans have. For now, we\u2019re not taking this issue any further. We\u2019re ready to discuss the issue of territories because the Russians keep wanting to discuss it and make it part of the agenda. But that requires meetings at the appropriate level. This isn\u2019t the kind of issue that can supposedly be resolved through drafts, preliminary conversations, or anything of that sort.\u201d<\/p>\n US-China-Russia summit<\/p>\n Very little is currently known about a potential meeting between the three major powers, said Zelenskyy.<\/p>\n However, he believes Russia may be the most eager to hold such a meeting, as it would provide an opportunity to demonstrate its importance and emerge from isolation for a second time following the Alaska meeting.<\/p>\n \u201cThey will certainly discuss Ukraine,\u201d said Zelenskyy. \u201cWe really don\u2019t want this to turn into \u2018Yalta 2, 3, 4,\u2019 with a redistribution of influence. I would even say not influence, but ideas\u2014that they can redistribute it like that. The world we live in today is different. This fragmented world is very different from the world of World War II, both before and after the war. It\u2019s a completely different technological world. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s possible to simply divide things up among the three of them. Although Russia very much wants that. I would pay attention to who wants this meeting the most.\u201d<\/p>\n It is extremely important for the meeting in Abu Dhabi to take place before such a summit, he said.<\/p>\n It is also important to understand that Russia is helping Iran, which means the Middle East will be raised during talks between the countries\u2019 leaders.<\/p>\n If the Republican Party\u2019s influence declines, Russia will provide even more assistance to Iran, Zelenskyy says.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy have we always appealed to President Trump openly and frankly, urging him to take action against Putin and his aggression?\u201d said Zelenskyy. \u201cBecause he can, and this could really help contain the war. It\u2019s not just within his power; it’s also a matter of his capabilities and his response. President Trump can do it if he wants to. We didn\u2019t get that. That\u2019s a fact. But I believe all of Putin\u2019s games involving \u2018economic proposals\u2019 through Dmitriev are working. They\u2019re definitely working in Russia\u2019s favor. They dragged out all the negotiating processes with us as long as they could, until the elections, without any serious results in terms of de-escalation, so they can see what happens next and whom to negotiate with next. That\u2019s how I would put it. And to prevent any new US sanctions. We\u2019ll see. It all depends on the choice of the American people.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n CategoryWar in Ukraine<\/a>“A Big Friggin\u2019 Deal\u201d: US Congress Passes Late Sen. Graham\u2019s Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill<\/a><\/p>\n \n Sep 17, 2026 21:12\n <\/p>\n Ukraine\u2019s air defense: Patriot missile shortages and military aid<\/p>\n Intelligence sharing has now resumed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are grateful to our American partners,\u201d said Zelenskyy. \u201cTo everyone who made this happen: President Donald Trump, the military, and everyone who helped.\u201d<\/p>\n However, interceptor missiles remain a major challenge.<\/p>\n Ukraine receives 12 Patriot air defense missiles per month, or approximately 150 per year. At the same time, Ukraine needs to intercept 150 ballistic missiles every month.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m speaking about this openly now as I understand that we want the Americans to start signing off on the supply of antiballistic missiles\u2014interceptor missiles\u2014to Ukraine from the countries we\u2019ve reached agreements with,\u201d Zelenskyy said. \u201cBecause without Hegseth\u2019s signature, it\u2019s simply impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n The broader challenge extends beyond interceptor missiles to the entire procurement process under the PURL mechanism<\/a>, which covers a wide range of equipment, including 20mm ammunition for F-16s, HIMARS, Patriots, and AIM missiles.<\/p>\n In many cases, US approval is required.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are some documents specifically on Secretary Hegseth\u2019s desk that he has signed,\u201d said Zelenskyy. \u201cHe may think he has signed everything, but that\u2019s not the case. That\u2019s because there is a package from the United States for 12 missiles, and he signed it.\u201d<\/p>\n Yet, due to relentless Russian strikes, Ukraine used \u201c35 this month,\u201d said Zelenskyy. \u201cThe question is about the other 23, which I found through other channels.\u201d<\/p>\n He was referring to the fact that other partners must also coordinate the transfer of military assistance with the United States.<\/p>\n At the same time, Ukraine is prepared to suspend strikes on oil refineries in exchange for Patriot missiles and already demonstrated this willingness in October.<\/p>\n Zelenskyy said he told the military, \u201c\u2018Let\u2019s respond calmly by striking other targets for at least 72 hours. We won\u2019t touch the oil refineries.\u2019 Nobody thanked us for that.\u201d<\/p>\n Starlink and Starshield disruptions and how Ukraine\u2019s air defenses were affected<\/p>\n A similar issue concerns Starlink systems, which stopped working on October 14<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n CategoryWar in Ukraine<\/a>Ukraine\u2019s Drones Were Hit by a 10-Day Starlink Speed Limit\u2014What Happened and Why It Matters<\/a><\/p>\n \n Oct 26, 2026 17:58\n <\/p>\n Zelenskyy explained the problem in two parts:<\/p>\n The use of Starshield against Russian forces. When Elon Musk said Ukraine was using Starshield against the Russians, that was true\u2014but it was being used against Russian forces on Ukrainian territory. This was not \u201coffensive\u201d but \u201cdefensive,\u201d and those are two different things. Ukraine uses these systems against Russian troops on Ukrainian territory, not on Russian territory. Those troops came to Ukraine to kill Ukrainians.<\/p>\n The Bars<\/a> missile and the interception of jet-powered Shahed drones. Ukraine\u2019s Bars missile is capable of intercepting jet-powered Shahed drones, and Starshield was used for precisely this purpose. As a result of the system\u2019s disruption, civilians were killed because the interception rate declined.<\/p>\n Finally, Zelenskyy thanked Melania Trump for helping establish a period of calm in Oleshky, which could help avert a humanitarian catastrophe in the region.<\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n CategoryWar in Ukraine<\/a>Russians Are Starving Ukrainians: What Is Happening in Occupied Oleshky<\/a><\/p>\n \n Sep 28, 2026 15:59\n <\/p>\n Wartime elections\u2014why a ceasefire is necessary<\/p>\n Another issue addressed was elections.<\/p>\n \u201cHow can we hold elections during a war?\u201d said Zelenskyy. \u201cThis would definitely divide our country and break it apart. That\u2019s what I think. In my view, many people share this opinion. The law and the Constitution clearly answer this question, because everything is laid out there accordingly. But if the answer provided by Ukrainian law and the Constitution, the political answer, and the public answer that elections cannot be held during the war aren\u2019t enough, then we need to find some other answers.\u201d<\/p>\n Security is the foremost concern, he said.<\/p>\n There are also numerous other questions: How can a service member vote? How can someone living in a temporarily occupied territory vote? How can millions of Ukrainians living abroad vote? How can people vote while missiles and ballistic weapons are striking? How can elections take place amid massive attacks involving Shahed drones and ballistic missiles?<\/p>\n \u201cIf America and Russia continue pushing this issue, hiding behind the phrase \u2018democratic elections\u2019 and simply trying to replace me, then I\u2019ve given my answer: give us a ceasefire for a set period of time so we can resolve the main security issues,\u201d Zelenskyy said. \u201cThen it may be possible for the people of Ukraine to decide for themselves how to respond politically.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Zelenskyy](\"https:\/\/storage.united24media.com\/thumbs\/x\/8\/90\/00899ef05950b5e642ce7aa842571908.jpg\" "\\"Zelenskyy")
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\n Zelenskyy during a meeting with Ukrainian journalists to discuss potential negotiations in Abu Dhabi. (Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine)<\/p>\n<\/a>
\n Meeting with Ukrainian journalists to discuss potential negotiations in Abu Dhabi. (Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
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\n Meeting with Ukrainian journalists to discuss potential negotiations in Abu Dhabi. (Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine)<\/p>\n<\/a>
\n Zelenskyy during a meeting with Ukrainian journalists to discuss potential negotiations in Abu Dhabi. (Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a>
\n Meeting with Ukrainian journalists to discuss potential negotiations in Abu Dhabi. (Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine)
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\n Meeting with Ukrainian journalists to discuss potential negotiations in Abu Dhabi. (Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine)<\/p>\n