13 November 2026 | Team of Boldvoices
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Dublin after they held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The meetings followed two days of U.S.-mediated discussions in Abu Dhabi. Kyiv identified a prospective prisoner exchange as an immediate outcome and called for European governments to take a direct role in the next round.
What changed after Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi meetings brought Russian and Ukrainian representatives into direct discussions mediated by the United States for the first time in nine months. The envoys then briefed Putin in Moscow and Zelenskyy in Dublin. The trip kept talks moving and opened a discussion about who would participate in future meetings. A wider peace settlement remains unresolved.
Zelenskyy said preparations were under way for further multilateral meetings. U.S. envoy Jared Kushner said Putin was willing to try a format that included Europeans. The practical test is whether European representatives attend the next direct meeting and what role they have once it begins.
A prisoner exchange is the clearest near-term outcome
Zelenskyy said Ukraine expects a major prisoner exchange and described it as potentially the largest of the war. The sides reached an understanding in Abu Dhabi, but the Dublin statement gave no date for transfers. For families waiting for relatives, the next meaningful milestones are confirmed arrangements and the return of prisoners.
Why Europe wants to negotiate directly
In Dublin, Zelenskyy briefed European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. European officials had already taken part in separate discussions. Kyiv wants them involved directly when negotiations cover European commitments, including long-term support for Ukraine and security arrangements after any ceasefire.
Security guarantees are commitments meant to deter a renewed attack. Their value depends on who makes them, what assistance they promise, and how quickly they would act. European governments would have to decide what they can provide, from military supplies to longer-term financial support. That gives them a direct stake in wording that could become part of a settlement.
There is also a disagreement over the scope of the talks. Moscow has raised wider European security arrangements, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe did not need to negotiate its security architecture with Russia. Agreement on who sits at the table would leave that larger disagreement open.
The war continues as the talks proceed
Ukraine carried out a major overnight drone attack on Russia as the diplomatic meetings continued. Meanwhile, Kyiv has asked its partners for more air-defence systems and missiles to protect civilians and energy infrastructure through the winter. Zelenskyy also discussed energy and humanitarian assistance with EU leaders.
What to watch next
The next signs of progress are a confirmed prisoner exchange timetable, an announced date and format for further talks, and clarity about European participation. A ceasefire would raise a separate set of questions about monitoring, enforcement and what happens if either side breaches it. The Dublin discussions moved the diplomatic process forward while those questions remained open.
Thumbnail photo: 2019 archival portrait by President.gov.ua, cropped and framed by BoldVoices. CC BY 4.0.
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