Zelenskyy ready to meet Putin as possible trilateral talks take shape

Why it matters

A direct meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin could change the format and substance of efforts to end the war. Ukrainian officials portray the meeting as a way to inject new momentum into negotiations and address sensitive issues such as territory, while recent contacts between Putin and European leaders supporting Ukraine have added diplomatic context to the prospect.

What happened

Zelenskyy expressed readiness to meet Putin to discuss ending the war, including during the G20 summit in Miami in December. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine was ready for the meeting and that Zelenskyy was prepared to address the most difficult and sensitive questions, particularly territory. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin would answer Zelenskyy's call and could receive him in Moscow, adding that Putin had never refused talks.

Separately, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke with Putin on October 27 about the war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy said they discussed concrete steps to reduce tensions around Ukraine's energy and infrastructure. Reuters reported that Putin rejected compromises concerning Donbas, while the Kremlin said he accused the EU and NATO of prolonging the war.

Ukrainian and Kremlin statements placed possible Ukraine-US-Russia negotiations in the United Arab Emirates in November, but they gave conflicting timing. Zelenskyy cited November 10, the Kremlin said the talks could occur no earlier than November 4, and another report specified November 4. Ukraine's presidential office did not confirm an exact date.

How Ukrainian sources describe it

Ukrainian officials emphasized Zelenskyy's willingness to travel for direct talks and discuss even the most sensitive issues, including territory. They presented a personal meeting as a potential source of new momentum for negotiations and highlighted discussion of concrete measures to reduce pressure on Ukraine's energy and infrastructure. The presidential office's refusal to confirm a date underscored that the schedule remained unsettled.

How international sources describe it

International coverage focused on Putin's recent direct contact with European leaders who support Ukraine and on the reported rejection of compromises over Donbas. Ukraine's readiness for direct talks was noted, while the timing and venue of possible trilateral negotiations remained unsettled. Putin's participation in the December G20 summit in Miami was also undecided, leaving another potential diplomatic setting for a meeting.

Where reporting differs

The possible date of the trilateral negotiations remains contested. Zelenskyy cited November 10, the Kremlin said the talks could take place no earlier than November 4, and another report specified November 4. The location is also not presented consistently: trilateral talks were described as taking place in the United Arab Emirates, while Zelenskyy also expressed willingness to meet Putin in Miami during the G20 summit.

Background

Zelenskyy and Putin have not met in person since Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Stubb and Støre's October 27 call with Putin was described as his first direct contact with European leaders supporting Ukraine since his call with French President Emmanuel Macron in July 2025. Ukrainian and Kremlin statements placed a possible three-way meeting in the United Arab Emirates in November, but no exact date was confirmed by Ukraine's presidential office.