Ukraine expects November trilateral talks with US and Russia, but date remains unconfirmed

Why it matters

The negotiations could reopen direct Ukraine-US-Russia talks after a prolonged interruption. Differences over whether November 4 is confirmed affect expectations about the meeting's timing and diplomatic value, while the scope of European participation could shape negotiations and decisions about ending the war.

What happened

Ukraine said trilateral negotiations with the United States and Russia were expected at delegation level in November, but the Office of the President had not confirmed an exact date. On October 27, presidential communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said an announcement was premature and should be expected by the end of October. The Kremlin had announced on October 23 that the round would take place in Abu Dhabi in November, while Western media citing Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported November 4 as the planned date. Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia did not confirm that specific date.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said European countries should participate in all diplomatic efforts and decisions concerning the end of the war. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said a meeting between Zelensky and Vladimir Putin was needed to address the most sensitive issues of peaceful settlement.

On October 27, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a phone conversation with Putin about the war and subsequently spoke with Zelensky. Following negotiations in Oslo on October 20 and Witkoff's meeting with Putin in St. Petersburg on October 21, direct trilateral talks at delegation level were unblocked; they had not been held since the preceding winter.

How Ukrainian sources describe it

Ukrainian officials stress that the November trilateral format is expected but its exact date has not been confirmed. They portray the Finnish and Norwegian call to Putin as coordinated with Kyiv and part of preparations for broader diplomatic contacts. Ukraine also insists that European countries participate in every diplomatic step and in decisions about ending the war.

How international sources describe it

International coverage emphasizes the reported November 4 date in Abu Dhabi, the Kremlin's announcement of a November round and cautious European optimism about constructive talks. European officials are seeking direct contacts with Putin and greater coordination among European countries. Russia has not confirmed European participation in the November round or agreed to leaders-level talks.

Where reporting differs

Officials gave conflicting accounts of who coordinated the call to Putin. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Norway and Finland acted without coordinating with other European countries, while Stubb and Sybiha said the call had been coordinated or prepared with Ukraine and the United States. There were also differences over the schedule and prospects for the talks: Tusk cited November 4 and expressed moderate or cautious optimism, while Ukrainian officials did not confirm the date and said an announcement would be premature.

Background

Direct Ukraine-Russia-US talks at delegation level had been blocked before being unblocked by the Oslo negotiations and Steve Witkoff's visit to Putin. Russia had not agreed to leaders-level talks involving Zelensky, Putin and US President Donald Trump, nor had it publicly abandoned its maximalist demands. Europe still lacked a single representative in the peace negotiations while considering candidates for a special negotiator who could conduct direct talks with Putin.