Merz tells Russia to prove ceasefire intent at Abu Dhabi talks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Berlin on November 3 and said Russia must show it is serious about a ceasefire and peace agreement at talks scheduled for next week in Abu Dhabi. Merz said he had not seen any sign of that seriousness so far.

The talks, set for November 10–11, will be the first direct Ukraine-Russia engagement since February. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced that the United States will mediate the working-level negotiations, focused on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts and next steps toward peace.

Merz called the new round between Ukrainian, U.S. and Russian negotiators "the right step" to help bring fighting to an end, and said it was essential that Europe be part of the process. He reaffirmed Germany's continued support for Ukraine and appealed to European partners to deliver pledged military assistance, saying: "It is time to end this war."

Zelenskiy said the Abu Dhabi meeting is expected to discuss security guarantees, an "energy ceasefire" and a truce in the Black Sea to guarantee food exports. The agenda touches European security, global food supply and Ukraine's reconstruction.

Separately, Witkoff said U.S. negotiators will meet this week in Brussels with France, Germany, the U.K. and NATO allies to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe's post-war security architecture and economic support for Ukraine's reconstruction.

The Berlin press conference took place as Ukrainian officials said 33 people had been killed in a Russian attack.

The diplomatic architecture is taking shape: a U.S.-mediated format, with Germany pressing Russia publicly and Europe insisting on a seat at the table. But Merz's skepticism underscores the gap between talks and actual Russian commitment. Russia's official response to Merz's statement and the U.S. mediation announcement has not been reported.

Whether the meeting produces concrete steps remains unknown. The specific security guarantees under discussion, which countries would provide them, and how an energy ceasefire or Black Sea truce would be monitored and enforced have not been detailed publicly.