Zelenskyy asked Roman Abramovich to convey message to Putin about peace talks: Report
Zelensky said the sanctioned billionaire carried a message on direct talks as Kyiv sought a ceasefire and prisoner exchanges, while Russia rejected the offer.
- Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a private meeting in Kyiv with Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, using the backchannel to notify President Vladimir Putin that Ukraine will never surrender the Donbas region.
- Abramovich, the former owner of Chelsea FC, traveled to Kyiv to gauge what Ukraine was 'ready to do' to initiate peace talks, though he initially requested his mediation role remain quiet.
- Zelensky told the intermediary that Ukraine had no intention of handing Donbas over to Russia, stating this 'key message' meant Ukraine would not surrender territory for victory.
- Putin publicly dismissed the overture, stating he saw 'no point' in negotiations while Russian forces continue their advance after confirming a businessman had traveled to Kyiv.
- During the meeting, the Ukrainian leader reiterated his willingness to meet Putin face-to-face in a neutral setting, suggesting formats that could include President Donald Trump or European leaders.
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68 Articles
Why Zelensky asked Russian oligarch Abramovich to test Putin’s appetite for talks
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed reports that he asked Roman Abramovich to pass on an offer of direct talks to Vladimir Putin. A Russian oligarch loyal to the Kremlin may be a surprise choice of messenger for Kyiv, but the former Chelsea owner has a history of acting as go-between since the start of Russia’s invasion.
Selenskyy calls a ceasefire Ukraine's largest concession – and confirms a secret meeting with Abramovich and a message to Putin.
He tried already in 2022. Today the former owner of Chelsea is one of the few people still able to move between Ukraine and Russia
Volodymyr Selenskyy confirmed a secret meeting with Roman Abramovich. Oligarch is said to have brought a message from Vladimir Putin to Kiev.
Western media learned that at the end of May 2026, Vladimir Zelensky transmitted a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin through Roman Abramovich.
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