Zelensky arrives in Madrid to discuss Ukraine air defense

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Spain on November 4, 2026, for talks on strengthening Kyiv's air defenses and for top-level meetings around the Ibero-American summit, he said on the Telegram messaging app. He said the Madrid talks would focus on the air defenses Ukraine needs to counter Russian air strikes in the run-up to winter.

Zelenskiy said he also planned to speak with US officials before three-way talks in Abu Dhabi that will include Russia. "Over these coming days, contacts with the American side are also planned," he wrote, adding that Kyiv was coordinating with partners on "concrete results on security issues and the next steps toward peace."

US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff said on November 2, 2026, that the United States would bring together delegations from Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11 to discuss ending the war against Ukraine, post-war security agreements and de-escalation, according to Reuters.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's office said he would meet Zelenskiy on Thursday. Zelenskiy held talks in Germany before flying to Spain, Reuters reported. Spain has trained Ukrainian soldiers and shipped Leopard 2 tanks and other equipment since 2022, and earlier in 2026 pledged five Patriot PAC-2 missiles to Ukraine.

Kyiv has said it needs about 300 Patriot missiles to fend off expected Russian ballistic missile attacks in the coming winter, Reuters reported.