Russia refused to de-escalate at talks in Abu Dhabi: Zelenskyy’s statement
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a press conference at a European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium, October 16, 2026. REUTERS/Yves Herman
The Russian side has not agreed to consider measures to reduce attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and de-escalation in the Black Sea. In return, Moscow does not plan to stop air strikes on Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this during his address to the participants of the 9th Summit of the European Political Community.
What position did Russia voice at the negotiations?
According to the head of state, during the negotiations held on November 11 in Abu Dhabi, Russian representatives stated that they did not have the authority to discuss the issues of de-escalation in the Black Sea and the cessation of attacks on Ukrainian energy.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine once again tried to agree on steps that could reduce the intensity of Russian aggression, but Moscow refused to discuss such proposals.
“Unfortunately, yesterday the Russians stated that they were not allowed to discuss measures that could reduce the horrors of this war, and this happened despite another attempt on our part to achieve steps to de-escalate in the Black Sea and stop attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine,” the president said.
The Ukrainian delegation also heard that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is supposedly angry. According to Zelensky, this means that Russia is not going to stop striking Ukrainian territory.
Earlier, it was reported that on Thursday, November 12, a meeting between Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, began in Moscow. The parties are discussing contacts between Ukraine and Russia, including humanitarian issues and the exchange of prisoners.
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