Putin and Zelensky Meeting Awaited

Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Moscow, saying he wants to hold direct negotiations with him.

According to Anadolu Agency on Wednesday (28 October 2026), Putin’s invitation was conveyed by presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, as reported by local media. Putin also guaranteed that all necessary conditions, including security arrangements, would be provided for Zelensky.

Ushakov said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb had told Putin in a recent telephone conversation that Zelensky was interested in holding direct talks with the Russian leader.

“Our boss reaffirmed that if Zelenskyy genuinely wants direct negotiations, he should come to Moscow. All the necessary conditions—including those concerning his safety—will be provided for him,” the state news agency Tass quoted Ushakov as saying.

Ushakov also said the telephone conversation involving Støre, Stubb and Putin focused mainly on an agreement to resume trilateral talks between representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi.

“There are many questions on this matter, as well as requests for clarification from our side,” he said.

Ushakov said the question of European representatives taking part in negotiations on Ukraine had not yet been considered. It would be discussed at a later stage of the talks.

“We have not discussed at all who might represent Europe, because that will only be decided at a much later stage,” he said.

Ushakov added that the telephone conversation lasted 90 minutes and ended with the parties agreeing to communicate again if necessary.

“In my view, the telephone conversation was in-depth and substantive,” he said.

Trump says meeting between the two will be arranged soon

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump also commented on a possible meeting between Putin and Zelensky, saying it would be arranged soon.

“A meeting will be arranged soon, and I think great progress can be made,” Trump told reporters, according to AFP on Wednesday (28 October).

The US president did not provide further details about a possible venue for a Putin-Zelensky meeting.

Zelensky had previously said that trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US would take place in November, with the aim of reviving peace negotiations that had stalled.

The Kremlin separately said a meeting involving the three countries was planned for November in the United Arab Emirates.