Vladimir Putin has invited Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Moscow for direct negotiations, assuring that necessary security conditions will be provided. The October 28, 2026 announcement, delivered by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, follows high-level diplomatic contacts involving Nordic leaders and comes alongside statements from U.S. Donald Trump predicting an imminent meeting.
Kremlin Security Guarantees and the Moscow Invitation
The invitation for direct talks inside the Russian capital was conveyed through Yuri Ushakov, as detailed by Anadolu Agency. Ushakov stated that Jonas Gahr Støre and Alexander Stubb recently informed Putin via a telephone conversation that Zelenskyy is interested in direct dialogue.
According to reports from state news agency Tass, the Kremlin reaffirmed its position on the venue. “If Zelenskyy truly wants to hold direct negotiations, he must come to Moscow, where all necessary conditions—including those related to his safety—will be provided for him,” Ushakov noted.
At the same time, the Kremlin maintained a hardline stance regarding the preconditions for an ultimate settlement. Putin told Stubb and Støre that peace in Ukraine is only possible if Russian interests are taken into account “in full and without condition,” while also claiming that the confrontational policies of NATO and the European Union prolong the conflict.
Trilateral Talks in Abu Dhabi and the Exclusion of Europe
The 90-minute telephone call between Putin, Støre, and Stubb focused heavily on preparations for upcoming trilateral discussions. Representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi in November to revive stalled peace talks.
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Ushakov remarked that the call involved extensive questions and requests for clarification from the Russian side regarding the Abu Dhabi framework. However, he clarified that European representation in the negotiation process remains undecided for now. “We have not discussed at all who might represent Europe, as that will be decided at a much later stage,” Ushakov said.
U.S. Statements and the Diplomatic Timeline
In Washington, U.S. Donald Trump addressed reporters on October 28, 2026, indicating that a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy will be organized swiftly. “There will be a meeting arranged soon, and I think great progress can be made,” Trump said, according to AFP.
While the U.S. leader did not disclose a potential location for the bilateral encounter, Zelenskyy previously noted that the broader trilateral engagements involving American, Ukrainian, and Russian delegates are set for November in the United Arab Emirates. Despite ongoing diplomatic pushes since Trump returned to office in January 2025 with a pledge to end the war rapidly, a definitive resolution to the conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives remains unrealized.
| Date | Key Diplomatic Development | Reported By |
|---|---|---|
| October 28, 2026 | Putin invites Zelenskyy to Moscow with safety guarantees via aide Yuri Ushakov; 90-minute call with Nordic leaders. | Anadolu Agency, Tass |
| October 28, 2026 | U.S. President Donald Trump states a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy will be arranged soon. | AFP |
| November 2026 (Scheduled) | Trilateral talks planned between representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Kremlin |
