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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that he held detailed talks with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner ahead of planned negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11, as diplomatic efforts to end the war continue.
Zelenskyy said the discussion lasted an hour and a half and focused on preparations for the U.S.-mediated talks, which are expected to address security arrangements, de-escalation and steps toward a peace agreement.
In a statement posted on X late Wednesday, the Ukrainian president said Kyiv had presented proposals to Washington and was prepared to take the necessary steps to advance negotiations.
“There will be another meeting in Brussels tomorrow on security guarantees for Ukraine. The negotiations must move forward at full throttle to bring this war to an end as quickly as possible,” Zelenskyy said, noting Ukraine is ready to take the necessary steps and that it has presented proposals to the American side.
Zelenskyy said a separate meeting focused on Ukraine's postwar recovery had taken place in Brussels, bringing together representatives of the United States, Ukraine, the European Union, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, NATO, the World Bank and the international business community.
The discussions were part of broader diplomatic efforts to establish arrangements for Ukraine's recovery and long-term security following a potential peace agreement.
Zelenskyy emphasized that security guarantees must form a central part of any settlement.
“This applies to the Drone Deal format in particular. Ukraine is grateful to the United States for its support for Ukraine's independence, our people, and diplomatic efforts. Peace has no alternative, and postwar security guarantees must be truly cast-iron,” he added.
The Ukrainian president also stressed the importance of additional air defense assistance, particularly interceptor missiles for U.S.-made Patriot systems.
He said Ukraine needed the interceptors to protect civilians against Russian attacks and emphasized the importance of maintaining bilateral defense cooperation with Washington.
Zelenskyy specifically highlighted the proposed "Drone Deal" framework as one of the areas requiring continued engagement between the two countries.
His remarks came as he concluded a two-day visit to Germany, where he held talks in Berlin with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Boris Pistorius.
Earlier this week, Witkoff announced that Washington would facilitate working-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11.
According to the U.S. envoy, the discussions will focus on “post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace.”
The upcoming meeting follows three rounds of U.S.-mediated negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow earlier this year.
The first round took place in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 23-24, followed by a second round in the same city on Feb. 4-5.
The third round was held in Geneva on Feb. 17-18.
The latest diplomatic efforts are expected to bring the parties back to the negotiating table as Kyiv continues to seek security guarantees and additional military support alongside discussions on ending the war.
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