The key facts

  • Melnyk: a meeting is possible 'even in Antarctica,' but not in Moscow
  • One of the options under discussion is the G20 summit in Florida in December
  • On November 10, talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US begin in Abu Dhabi

Statement by Ukraine's Permanent Representative

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin 'at the first opportunity' — but not in Moscow. This was stated by Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN Andriy Melnyk, as quoted by UNIAN (report by Gazeta.Ru). According to him, the meeting could take place 'in Florida in December on the sidelines of the G20 summit, or anywhere else in the world if needed, even in Antarctica — anywhere, but not in Moscow.'

Context of the talks

The statement came on the eve of trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi, which, as Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha previously reported, will begin on November 10 at 11:50 local time; a possible meeting between Putin and Zelensky is also expected to be discussed there. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated: that the subject of discussion will be security guarantees for both sides of the conflict. Earlier, after meeting with Kirill Dmitriev, Donald Trump announced a deal on Ukraine.

What remains unknown

The specific date and venue for the meeting of the two countries' leaders have not been determined: Florida was named only as one of the possible options, tied to the December G20 summit. The outcomes of the talks in Abu Dhabi were not known at the time of publication.