Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for additional Patriot interceptor missiles and firm postwar security guarantees as diplomatic efforts intensify ahead of planned negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi.
Zelensky said air defense supplies were a priority during a 90-minute conversation with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Wednesday. He stressed that Ukraine needs more interceptors for its Patriot systems to protect people from Russian attacks, while urging progress on bilateral defense cooperation with Washington, including a proposed drone agreement.
The appeal coincided with consultations in Brussels on Ukraine’s reconstruction and long-term security. Representatives from Ukraine, the United States, European partners, NATO, the World Bank and the business community participated in recovery discussions, with a separate meeting on security guarantees scheduled for Thursday. Zelensky said Ukraine had presented its proposals to Washington and was prepared to advance negotiations.
The Brussels meetings are helping prepare for working-level talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11. Zelensky has said those discussions could pave the way for a future meeting between national leaders, while emphasising that European countries must remain involved in shaping a lasting settlement.
According to the Ukrainian president, Kyiv also wants the Abu Dhabi agenda to address a halt to attacks on energy and critical infrastructure, improved access through the Black Sea and accelerated prisoner exchanges. Security guarantees and a recovery package are among the subjects the American side has signalled it wants to discuss. These remain proposed negotiating topics rather than agreed outcomes.
Zelensky is also seeking support from Spain, where talks with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez were scheduled for Thursday. Strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses ahead of winter was expected to feature prominently, alongside coordination with partners on the next stage of diplomacy.
