Zelensky pays surprise visit to Berlin ahead of Abu Dhabi talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Tuesday, just days ahead of peace talks planned in Abu Dhabi between Ukrainian, US and Russian diplomats.

"The key issues are our diplomatic coordination - with important meetings ahead - strengthening our air defense, and supporting our energy sector. These will be the priorities of today's talks," Zelensky wrote on X as he landed in the German capital. 

He was greeted at the airport by Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev. For security reasons, the visit had not been publicly announced in advance.

Hours earlier, US special envoy Steve Witkoff had announced a new round of talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week in Abu Dhabi. 

The talks will take place at the level of advisers to the leaders, Witkoff said. "Discussions will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace," he posted on X.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Tuesday that a Russian delegation would take part, according to the state news agency TASS. The Moscow team is to be led by former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky, as has previously been the case.

Europeans seek seat at negotiating table

Witkoff also said US envoys were to meet this week with representatives from Germany, France, Britain, NATO and the European Union. Talks in Brussels are to focus on "security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe's post-war security architecture, and economic opportunities to support Ukraine's reconstruction."

"NATO representatives will meet with representatives from France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States later this week in Brussels to discuss the way forward on bringing about a just and sustainable end to the war in Ukraine," said NATO spokeswoman Alison Hart.

The Europeans have insisted on being involved in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. As things stand, however, Europe is not likely to be at the table.

Three key summits before year-end

Three major summits will follow the Abu Dhabi talks.

On the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economic summit on November 18 and 19 in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin may hold three-way talks. 

China is Russia's most important backer in the war in Ukraine. Leading Western politicians say Putin could not continue his war without Chinese help.

Around the same time, a summit of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, which includes about 35 countries supporting Ukraine, is planned in Berlin. It will focus on further help for Ukraine, above all so it can withstand Russia's onslaught through the upcoming winter.

The Group of 20 (G20) summit is then held in Florida from December 13 to 15. The key question is whether Putin will attend for the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. If so, will host Trump also invite Ukrainian President Zelensky?

Ukraine needs air defence and cash

The talks between Merz and Zelensky are also likely to cover military and financial support for Ukraine.

Militarily, Ukraine mainly needs air-defence missiles to intercept Russia's dangerous ballistic missiles. The best option is the US Patriot system.

The German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, have already handed over all the Patriot systems they can spare without endangering their own air defence.

For next year, Ukraine needs an additional €70 billion ($77.5 billion) from the Europeans, according to Zelensky. He named that sum at the last EU summit in October.

How the money can be raised will be discussed at the three EU summits still to take place this year. The focus of those talks will be the EU's medium-term financial planning.