Key facts
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy used Roman Abramovich to relay a message to Vladimir Putin.
- Zelenskyy informed Putin, via Abramovich, that Ukraine would not surrender the Donbas region.
- Zelenskyy expressed willingness to meet Putin for a bilateral summit.
- The communication occurred during the initial weeks of the invasion and was related to peace talks.
- Putin has stated Russia will not stop fighting until Kyiv abandons Donbas.
- Zelenskyy refused to meet Putin in Russia or Belarus.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that Russian magnate Roman Abramovich met him in Kyiv and offered to relay a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning peace prospects. Zelenskyy stated that he informed Putin, through Abramovich, that Ukraine would not abandon its Donbas region and would not concede victory in that manner. He also expressed his willingness to meet Putin for a bilateral summit, a communication that occurred during the initial weeks of the invasion and was related to peace talks. Abramovich, formerly of Chelsea Football Club, has been subject to sanctions since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and previously played a role in early negotiations and a deal for Black Sea grain shipments. Putin has maintained that Russia will not cease fighting until Kyiv relinquishes the Donbas. Zelenskyy reiterated his refusal to meet Putin in Russia or Belarus, suggesting a halt to fighting on existing front lines as the quickest diplomatic path, provided the war does not return.