Key facts
- President Volodymyr Zelensky asked Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich to convey a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin about restarting peace talks.
- Zelensky confirmed the meeting with Abramovich in a May 2026 interview with Sky News.
- Zelensky instructed Abramovich to inform Putin that Ukraine would not surrender the Donbas region.
- Zelensky proposed a direct summit with Putin in a neutral location.
- Russia rejected the overture, with Putin stating there was no point in meeting Zelensky.
- Abramovich has a history of mediating between Russia and Ukraine since 2022.
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.