Zelensky says Europe must have a seat in November peace talks
Zelensky said no European country should be excluded from talks on ending the war, after Finland and Norway's leaders briefed him on a call with Putin.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that European countries must take part in next month's planned peace negotiations on ending Russia's war against Ukraine, warning that no European partner should be excluded from the process.
"It is important that Europe also take part in all diplomatic moves," Zelensky said in his evening address. "No one should be left out of the process." He said Ukraine expected a trilateral format in November with Ukrainian, American and Russian representatives.
The talks are expected to take place in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November at the level of negotiating teams rather than a summit of the three countries' leaders, according to statements from Moscow reported by Kyiv Post.
Zelensky's appeal followed a rare phone call on Tuesday between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, conducted from Helsinki at Finland and Norway's initiative. The call followed diplomatic talks in Oslo on 20 October involving Zelensky, European leaders and US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Stubb said the call with Putin was frank and substantive and that ending the war required direct discussions. Store stressed the war's human and economic cost and said the two leaders had called on Russia to de-escalate. According to Zelensky's office, the Nordic leaders told Putin that Russia needed to take concrete steps toward de-escalation, particularly by reducing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Stubb and Store briefed Zelensky on the call afterwards, and Zelensky thanked them for coordinating the initiative with Kyiv. He said Ukraine was working to secure new military support packages and was coordinating with partners to arrange diplomacy and meetings as soon as possible, and confirmed Kyiv would stay in contact with Washington.
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What we know
- 2+ outlets · Kyiv Post, Ukrinform Zelensky said on 27 October that Europe must take part in November's planned peace talks and that no European country should be left out.
- 1 outlet · Kyiv Post The talks are expected in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November, at negotiating-team level, according to Moscow.
- 1 outlet · Kyiv Post Putin held a call with Finland's President Stubb and Norway's PM Store on 27 October, arranged by Finland and Norway in consultation with Ukraine.
- 1 outlet · Kyiv Post The Nordic leaders told Putin Russia should take concrete de-escalation steps, including reducing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Zelensky's office said.
- 1 outlet · Kyiv Post Zelensky said Ukraine was working to secure new military support packages ahead of the talks.
How each fact is established: Verified checked by an ECTV editorOfficial stated by an official body2+ outlets reported independently by two or more news organisations1 outlet reported by a single news organisation so farUnconfirmed claimed or reportedHow we label facts
Why it matters for Europe
The dispute over who sits at the table reflects Kyiv's long-standing concern that a US-brokered deal with Russia could settle Ukraine's fate, and the security of neighbouring European states, without direct European input. Finland and Norway both border Russia and have pushed for a say in any settlement; their direct outreach to Putin shows European governments trying to shape the process alongside Washington rather than wait for a deal negotiated without them.
Sources
Reported by 2 reports from 2 independent outlets in 1 countries.
Source balance
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Questions and answers
- When and where are the peace talks expected to take place?
- Officials say they are expected in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November, at the level of negotiating teams.
- Who is pushing to be included in the talks?
- President Volodymyr Zelensky said European countries must take part, and said no European partner should be excluded.
- What did Finland and Norway's leaders tell Putin?
- According to Zelensky's office, they told him Russia should take concrete steps towards de-escalation, including reducing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
This article was written with AI assistance from 2 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.