Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that a proposed ceasefire aimed at halting attacks on energy infrastructure had been rejected by Russia, as Moscow continues its offensive against Ukraine’s power facilities. Meanwhile, Zelensky expressed optimism over a separate US-brokered humanitarian truce in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, which may aid civilian evacuations.
During a joint press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten in The Hague on October 28, Zelensky explained that Ukraine had backed a proposal from US President Donald Trump to stop strikes on energy sites, but noted that Russia had not responded in kind. He affirmed that Ukraine would persist in defending itself against Russian assaults on its energy sector.
The humanitarian truce in Oleshky, located in the southern Kherson region, took effect on October 27 and has shown initial signs of success. This agreement is intended to facilitate humanitarian efforts, specifically the evacuation of civilians from the area under Russian control. Zelensky thanked the United States for its role in establishing the truce and expressed hope for its potential to enable safe evacuations.
Looking ahead, Zelensky indicated that Ukraine is gearing up for a new round of trilateral peace talks with the United States and Russia, slated to occur in Abu Dhabi from November 6 to 10. These discussions will address various issues, including ceasefire terms, energy infrastructure security, maritime safety, prisoner swaps, and the return of Ukrainian children.
Zelensky underscored the importance of technical-level meetings as groundwork for future negotiations between national leaders, though he noted that no direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin had been scheduled. He emphasized Ukraine’s readiness to engage in direct talks with Russia on territorial matters but insisted on Ukraine’s involvement in any agreement concerning its future.
Additionally, Zelensky highlighted the necessity of including European nations in discussions about Ukraine’s security assurances and Europe’s broader security framework. Despite this, he assured that Ukraine would continue to pursue peace talks even if European representatives are not initially present.
In support of Ukraine, the Netherlands revealed plans to provide €500 million in military aid and €1.2 billion in non-military support over the next three years. Prime Minister Jetten stated that the Dutch government is collaborating with international partners to secure additional air-defense systems for Ukraine, strengthening its defense as another winter with potential Russian attacks looms.