Zelenskyy Visits Berlin Ahead of Abu Dhabi Talks
10 sourcesUpdated Nov 3, 20261 min read
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Berlin on Nov. 3, 2026 to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz announced the visit during a speech at the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, saying Zelenskyy would be back with him right around noon. The trip was kept unannounced beforehand for security reasons. Before arriving, Zelenskyy condemned Russian overnight attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. The same day, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said trilateral talks among Ukraine, Russia and the United States will be held Nov. 10–11 in Abu Dhabi at advisers level, focused on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts and next steps toward peace. U.S. envoys are to meet this week in Brussels with representatives from Germany, France, the UK, NATO and the EU. German officials expect a European presence in Abu Dhabi but say Europe is likely not seated at the table. Merz–Zelenskyy talks are expected to cover military and financial support, including air-defense needs and Zelenskyy’s October request for an additional €70 billion from Europeans next year. The Bundeswehr has already transferred all Patriot systems it can spare without endangering its own air defense. Related dates include the Berlin Security Conference starting Nov. 3, a Coalition of the Willing summit of about 35 countries planned in Berlin around Nov. 18–19, a possible Trump–Xi–Putin meeting on the sidelines of APEC in Shenzhen the same window, and the G20 in Florida Dec. 13–15. No factual disputes among outlets appear in the record.
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Merz should tie any new aid to clear conditions on how Ukraine spends it in those Abu Dhabi talks.
Zelenskyy needs that extra seventy billion from Europe to keep fighting, especially with Russia still advancing.
