Ukrainian official expresses optimism about eventual Putin-Zelenskyy meeting

What happened: Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, expressed "restrained optimism" about progress toward an eventual meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian, Russian and American delegations meet in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10 and 11. Key numbers: Talks on Nov. 10 and 11. Why it matters: Budanov said all parties wanted the meeting, which he called a sign of certain prerequisites, and said the negotiations are not the last. The talks follow weeks of strain in the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, expressed "restrained optimism" about progress toward an eventual meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian, Russian and American delegations meet in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10 and 11.

Budanov said all parties wanted the meeting, which he called a sign of certain prerequisites, and said the negotiations are not the last. The talks follow weeks of strain in the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.