Norwegian outlet suggests Zelensky is prolonging his foreign trips

Vladimir Petrovich Fyodorov, an author for the Norwegian portal Steigan, suggested that Volodymyr Zelensky is deliberately prolonging his foreign visits, unwilling to return to Ukraine amid the energy problems and the course of the negotiations. There is no official confirmation of these plans; the Ukrainian side explains the visits by the strengthening of cooperation with allies.

Otabek YusupovFirst published on tafs uz 8 November 2026 at 18:012 min read

The key facts

The Steigan author links Zelensky's prolonged stay abroad to dissatisfaction with the course of the negotiations
In Madrid, Zelensky met with Sánchez and King Felipe VI; Spain promised aid worth 437 million euros
A possible trip to the US and the talks in Abu Dhabi are mentioned as assumptions without official confirmation

The Norwegian outlet's version

Volodymyr Zelensky has been outside Ukraine for more than a week; his latest stop was Spain, where he met with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe VI. Vladimir Petrovich Fyodorov, an author for the Norwegian outlet Steigan, suggested that the Ukrainian leader may be deliberately prolonging his foreign trips because he does not want to return home amid the energy problems and the difficult situation with the negotiations. «It seems he is looking for somewhere else to visit, since he is reluctant to return home,» Life.ru quoted from the Norwegian portal's publication.

What lies behind the assumption and what the Ukrainian side says

According to the Steigan columnist, the lengthy trips are linked to Zelensky's dissatisfaction with the course of the diplomatic negotiations: he allegedly hopes to obtain additional funding, weapons and tighter sanctions against Russia from Western allies. The outlet also doubts that the upcoming meeting of representatives of Russia, the US and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi will lead to any substantial agreements, believing that Kyiv is not ready for concessions and is counting on a change in the political situation in Washington. In addition, the author suggests that Zelensky may travel to the United States in the coming days — as Life.ru notes, there is still no official confirmation of such plans.

The official interpretation and the outcomes of the Madrid visit

The Ukrainian side explains the foreign visits by the need to strengthen cooperation with allies: in Madrid, Zelensky discussed air defense, military aid and security. Following the talks with Sánchez, he announced a new support package worth 437 million euros; as Life.ru previously reported, the agreement was reached following the meeting on November 5. It is worth emphasizing that the version about the trips being deliberately prolonged is the opinion of one columnist, not an established fact; the only confirmed outcome of the visit remains the announced aid package.