Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated potential dates for a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia, while Donald Trump has suggested that an agreement to end the war is drawing near. Kyrylo Budanov discussed the negotiation process and security guarantees for Ukraine with American senators. Meanwhile, the US has approved the potential sale of 500 Patriot missiles, even as Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have left hundreds of thousands of households without electricity.
Zelenskyy Proposes Dates for Trilateral Talks with Russia; Trump Claims Peace Deal Is Near
A trilateral meeting between representatives of Ukraine, the US, and Russia—at a technical level—could take place in Abu Dhabi between November 6 and 10. Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared this in an interview with American journalist Tony Perkins. According to him, the final date and location have not yet been confirmed due to the situation in the Middle East; however, Ukraine supports the proposal put forward by the American side.
"First and foremost, it is a positive development that we will have the opportunity to bring the Russians to the negotiating table. We are grateful to the American side for their mediation during our meeting in Oslo. It was America that proposed holding this meeting in November," the President noted.
He added that three negotiating teams—Ukrainian, Russian, and American—are expected to meet in Abu Dhabi.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump statedthat the parties are nearing an agreement to bring the war to an end. He made these remarks in a comment to blogger Benny Johnson, while responding to a question about the possibility of a meeting between representatives of Ukraine and Russia during a G20 summit at the Trump National Doral golf club.
"I think we’re very close to a deal—and I haven’t said that before. I didn’t say that at the beginning..." Trump stated. He also reiterated that "there was tremendous hatred between the two leaders." "But I think there’s a very good chance we can work this out," the head of the White House added.
Budanov Discusses Negotiations and Security Guarantees for Ukraine with U.S. Senators
The Head of the Office of the President, Kyrylo Budanov, held a video conference with Roger Wicker, Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, and Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. During the conversation, the parties discussed support for Ukraine, the negotiation process, and security guarantees. According to Budanov, the U.S. senators raised the issue of current challenges Ukraine faces in its resistance to Russian aggression, as well as priority areas for bilateral cooperation. The Head of the Office of the President specifically drew attention to the intensification of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities located behind the front lines.
"Assessing the intensification of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities behind the front lines, I emphasized that Russian shelling of civilian and critical infrastructure constitutes systematic terror—an act that serves no military purpose and does not fundamentally alter the situation on the front." "Ukraine is critically dependent on American assistance regarding early warning systems for aerial threats to protect the civilian population during the winter," Budanov stated.
He also thanked the U.S. for its efforts in organizing and advancing the negotiation process, noting that Ukraine expects progress during the next round of trilateral talks. According to him, any peaceful settlement or cessation of hostilities must be accompanied by clear security mechanisms.
"Such arrangements should be viewed not as one-sided charity, but as a pragmatic investment by the U.S. in strengthening defense capabilities and its own security," emphasized the Head of the Office of the President.
The U.S. has approved the potential sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine for $2.1 billion
The U.S. Department of State has approved the potential sale of 500 PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles for Patriotair defense systems to Ukraine. The total value of the procurement is $2.1 billion. In addition to the missiles, Ukraine’s request includes the supply of spare parts, related equipment, as well as logistical and software support. The State Department noted that this procurement is intended to strengthen Ukraine’s integrated air and missile defense system and ensure the continued operation of existing Patriot systems to counter aerial threats.
Funding will be provided by Ukraine’s partners—Canada, Germany, and Norway—under the JUMPSTART program, as well as through funds raised via a European Union loan to support Ukraine. US government funds will not be used for this procurement. Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, has been designated as the primary contractor.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the State Department's decision, though he stated, that the delivery of the missiles might not begin for several years.
"The US State Department’s decision to allow Ukraine to purchase Patriot interceptors to counter Russian ballistic missiles is a strong move. Five hundred PAC-3 interceptors is a significant number, and—very soon, this winter—this COULD have been a highly effective defensive package. However, it has been indicated that deliveries might not begin for SEVERAL YEARS. We urge our American partners to find a solution for the present moment, when there is a real danger and an immediate need to deploy PAC-3 systems," the President wrote.
He noted that in the last two weeks of October alone, Russia launched over 30 strikes against critical facilities within Ukraine’s energy grid. Zelenskyy called on partners to expedite deliveries, emphasizing that Ukraine had requested a winter support package based on a requirement of 100 Patriot interceptors per month.
Russian strikes leave hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without power; Ukraine attacks an industrial site in Russia
On the night of November 1, Russian forces struck energy infrastructure across four Ukrainian regions, leaving hundreds of thousands of households without electricity. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported this, noting that the intensity of the attacks remains high. He added that Russian forces are seeking to exploit the current shortage of interceptor missiles used to counter ballistic threats. The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since Saturday evening, Russia has launched 433 long-range drones at Ukraine, 371 of which were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses. As of Sunday morning, several dozen Russian drones remained in the air, while six air raid alerts had been issued in Kyiv since midnight.
Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported significant damage to an industrial facility in the Nizhny Novgorod region following a Ukrainian drone attack. Regional Governor Gleb Nikitin did not identify the specific facility that was damaged; however, local authorities urged drivers to purchase fuel only when necessary and to avoid panic. The region is home to NORSI, one of Russia’s largest oil refineries. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that its forces had shot down 235 Ukrainian drones over various regions of the country overnight. Zelenskyy also reported a Ukrainian strike on the Kamensk plant in the Rostov region, which he stated is involved in the production of Russian missiles. Moscow has not commented on this attack.
The Pentagon has urged European nations to tone down their rhetoric regarding the threat posed by Russia
In recent weeks, U.S. Department of Defense officials have reached out to several NATO countries, calling for more restraint in their statements concerning the Russian threat. According to Reuters, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia received such messages. U.S. officials argued that certain statements made by European leaders and government representatives could undermine the continent's security. Among the remarks that drew the attention of the United States were statements suggesting that Russia has found itself in a dead-end situation and is resorting to increasingly desperate measures as its offensive in Ukraine slows down. Elbridge Colby, a senior Pentagon official responsible for policy, was one of the representatives who conveyed these points to European officials.
According to sources who spoke to Reuters, Colby cited the characterization of Russia as being "cornered like a rat" as an example of unacceptable rhetoric. He also urged that provocative statements directed at Moscow be avoided. These messages from the Pentagon emerged amidst ongoing discussions within NATO regarding how to publicly address the Russian threat. Some Western officials argue that emphasizing the danger posed by Moscow could fuel fear and undermine support for Ukraine. Others insist that European governments should speak openly about these threats—particularly in light of reports regarding an intensification of Russian sabotage operations across Europe. Meanwhile, the U.S. is reviewing its troop levels on the continent and calling on its European allies to assume greater responsibility for their own defense. A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on the reports, stating: "Private conversations between allies remain private, so we will not comment on these assertions."
Photo: Kyrylo Budanov
Author: Danylo Pievchev