President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly asked Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich to relay a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin about restarting peace talks. Zelensky confirmed the meeting, stating he told Abramovich that Ukraine would not surrender Donbas and proposed a direct meeting with Putin.
The exchange highlights ongoing, albeit indirect, diplomatic efforts between Ukraine and Russia, with a prominent Russian oligarch acting as an intermediary. It underscores Ukraine's continued desire for negotiation while maintaining a firm stance on territorial integrity, and Russia's current unwillingness to engage in direct talks.
President Volodymyr Zelensky requested that sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich convey a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the potential for restarting bilateral peace talks, according to reports citing sources familiar with the matter. Zelensky confirmed the meeting with Abramovich in a May 2026 interview, stating that the oligarch conveyed a desire from the Russian side to understand Ukraine's readiness for concessions.
During the exchange, Zelensky reportedly instructed Abramovich to inform Putin that Ukraine would not surrender the Donbas region and expressed his own readiness for a direct, face-to-face summit with Putin in a neutral location. Sources indicated that Zelensky had invited Abramovich to Kyiv in May, aiming to signal Ukraine's commitment to peace negotiations amid U.S. distractions. However, Russia reportedly rejected this overture. Putin stated at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum that he saw no point in meeting with Zelensky, referring to the intermediary as a "colleague" not acting in an official capacity.
Abramovich, a Russian billionaire previously banned from the UK, has a history of mediating between Russia and Ukraine, including facilitating prisoner exchanges and negotiations for the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Despite his role being downplayed since direct negotiations between Russia and the U.S. began, sources suggest he remains involved due to his perceived acceptability to both sides.