Ukraine seeks early start for war talks
Kyiv is pushing to move trilateral negotiations with Russia up by one week to avoid winter, while also pressing to include an EU observer despite Moscow's resistance.
By Anastasia Petrova ·
Ukraine is trying to accelerate the schedule for upcoming trilateral peace talks with Russia and the United States. Kyiv wants to begin the meetings in Abu Dhabi at least one week earlier than the current tentative date of November 10. The push aims to secure substantive progress before winter conditions worsen the situation on the ground.
A source close to the Ukrainian negotiation team stated that the Russians do not want Europeans seated at the table for the first meeting. The Ukrainian team plans to bring EU representatives to Abu Dhabi regardless. The source noted that these envoys currently lack a mandate to make decisions, operating only in a signal-receiving capacity.
Time pressure drives the request for an earlier start. A member of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's team explained that every week in December counts when infrastructure is fragile. The source said that when citizens lack power, water, or heating, every single day plays a role in the negotiation dynamic.
Kyiv does not expect a breakthrough at the first session. Officials anticipate that substantive agreements will require multiple rounds of discussion. A source from the President's Office added that Russian leaders still believe they can break Ukraine's resolve this winter. Another team member predicted that the first meeting would serve for delegations to get acquainted, with real work beginning at the second and potential decisions at the third.
The Ukrainian side also proposes a different approach to territorial issues. Instead of debating specific villages, officials want to define what peace looks like after the war. A source noted that trust in US President Donald Trump is only six percent higher than trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine. The team wants to present a clear picture of security guarantees and cooperation models rather than relying on assurances.
European involvement remains a point of contention. The Ukrainian side persists in inviting EU partners despite opposition from Russia and sometimes the United States. Sources indicate that Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff conveyed the idea of a new security model to Putin, who allegedly agreed. Bjorn Seibert, head of cabinet for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has emerged as the likely EU representative for these talks.
As of the evening of October 25, final confirmation from Moscow regarding the date change had not been received. Davyd Arakhamiia, leader of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction, told US officials that the final peace configuration must be acceptable to residents of Kharkiv and Dnipro. He argued that if people in those regions agree the formula works, it represents genuine progress.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
