Published on
Ukrainian officials have declined to confirm President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's planned visit to Brussels this week, despite his announcement that talks with the US, EU and NATO were scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Dmytro Lytvyn, Zelenskyy's communications adviser, told reporters on Monday that Kyiv could not confirm the visit because of changes to the American side's plans.
Speaking to Ukrainian media on Sunday, Zelenskyy said the talks were scheduled for October 27 and 28, bringing together the leaders of Ukraine, the US and the EU, as well as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Asked by Euronews about the planned talks, the European Commission said it remained engaged in diplomatic efforts but offered no further details.
"The Commission continues to participate in talks and efforts with allies and partners to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine," a Commission spokesperson told Euronews.
"At this stage, we have no further information to share."
The proposed Brussels meeting follows a series of diplomatic discussions in Oslo last week, including talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff attended by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
According to Zelenskyy, wider discussions also involved security advisers to the leaders of Britain, France and Italy, alongside Björn Seibert, chief of staff to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The US subsequently briefed its partners following Witkoff's talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.
"We had a briefing from the Americans, and now they want not just a briefing, but to discuss security, guarantees, the EU and its involvement more broadly," Zelenskyy said.
"They want a meeting in Brussels this week. The Americans, Ukraine, the EU at presidential level and NATO at secretary-general level. I don't know whether anyone else will be part of this group in Brussels."
The uncertainty over the Brussels visit comes ahead of another round of negotiations between Ukrainian, American and Russian teams, which Zelenskyy said was being planned for the first half of November.
Abu Dhabi has been mentioned as a possible venue, although the date and location have yet to be confirmed.