Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed rumors regarding a meeting with Russian businessman Roman Abramovich in Kyiv. Abramovich reportedly sought to act as a private intermediary in negotiations with the Kremlin.
In an interview with Sky News, Zelensky stated that the Russian billionaire, who is under strict sanctions due to his connections with the Kremlin, personally visited Kyiv. Abramovich claimed to have a mandate to convey messages between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia.
“He came to Kyiv and said: ‘I bring a message directly to you, I want to take a message from you to Vladimir Putin.’ However, he emphasized that this needed to be done quietly, without any publicity,” Zelensky recounted.
The Ukrainian leader indicated that the format of the communication was not significant for Ukraine, which is why he agreed to listen to the businessman.
Abramovich’s primary objective during the visit was to ascertain the steps Ukraine is willing to take regarding peace negotiations.
Despite Abramovich’s attempts to mediate, Zelensky firmly outlined Ukraine’s stance on territorial integrity, asserting that there would be no concessions regarding Donbas. “This was the key message. I said that we will not go. We will not give you a victory in this way,” the president emphasized.
When asked if he considered Abramovich a legitimate mediator, Zelensky responded that the oligarch only took on the responsibility of relaying Ukraine’s response to the Kremlin.
In context, it is noteworthy that earlier reports indicated that in late May 2026, Zelensky communicated a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin through Abramovich. Sources suggested that the Ukrainian leader expressed a willingness to meet for bilateral talks, potentially marking the first such negotiations in over four years since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
On June 5, during a speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin responded to Zelensky’s message. Rather than addressing the substance of the proposals for ending the war, he focused on personal grievances, stating that he was “offended” by references to his age and lengthy tenure in power.
That same day, Zelensky reacted to Putin’s “weak” response conveyed through Abramovich. The Ukrainian president noted that such a reaction disappointed many globally and demonstrated the Kremlin’s reluctance to end the war, leading to the conclusion that the international community must intensify financial and political pressure on Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed a meeting with Roman Abramovich, who attempted to act as a mediator in peace negotiations with Russia. Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's firm stance on territorial integrity, emphasizing no concessions regarding Donbas.