Ukraine’s Zelenskyy confirms trilateral talks planned for November
Usagevpn.com – Ukraine’s Zelenskyy confirms trilateral talks involving Kyiv, Washington and Moscow are expected to take place in November, opening a possible new phase in efforts to end the war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the format could address both political and technical issues, although the most sensitive questions would require leaders to participate directly.
Zelenskyy said territorial matters could only be resolved at the leadership level. Other subjects, he indicated, could be handled by specialist delegations working on detailed arrangements before any possible summit.
“We are ready to talk. If it’s a territorial issue, it must be addressed at a leadership level. Other issues fall within the remit of the technical groups. All this can therefore be discussed in November,” Zelenskyy said.
US diplomatic contacts raise prospects for a new round
The planned meeting follows a series of contacts involving the administration of US President Donald Trump. US envoy Steve Witkoff met Zelenskyy and European leaders in Oslo on Tuesday before holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg the next day.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy confirms trilateral talks as Kyiv and Moscow have both signalled a willingness to resume direct negotiations with the United States acting as mediator. The renewed engagement has revived hopes that the three sides could return to a shared diplomatic process after months of limited visible progress.
Putin agreed in principle to restart talks after 10 November, according to his foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov. Ushakov said discussions would cover a security framework for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends, making long-term security arrangements a central issue in any settlement.
Territory and security remain the central challenges
In an audio message released late Wednesday, Zelenskyy supported the US effort to move quickly and said the agenda focused on ending the war, advancing peace and preparing for a possible meeting between leaders.
“The agenda is clear: to end the war, bring peace closer, and, as I understand it, prepare everything for a meeting at the leaders’ level,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy confirms trilateral talks while stressing the difference between decisions requiring presidential authority and technical negotiations that can be managed by officials. Territorial questions remain among the conflict’s most politically difficult issues, while technical groups could work on practical arrangements and identify possible areas of agreement.
The three countries have previously used the trilateral format. Delegations met twice in Abu Dhabi, in January and February, followed by another round in Geneva during February. Those meetings showed that direct engagement was possible, but they did not result in a broader breakthrough.
Prisoner-of-war exchanges were the main concrete result of the earlier rounds. Moscow and Kyiv otherwise maintained their established positions on the conflict’s core disputes, limiting progress towards a wider peace agreement.
The November talks could provide another channel for communication as the United States increases its diplomatic involvement. Their success will depend on whether officials can build common ground before leaders address the major political questions, including territory and post-conflict security.
Frequently asked questions
When are the trilateral talks expected to take place?
The discussions are expected in November. Russian foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin had agreed in principle to resume talks after 10 November.
Who would take part in the talks?
The proposed format involves representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the United States. Zelenskyy said leaders would need to address territorial issues, while technical delegations could handle other matters.
What happened in previous rounds of negotiations?
Earlier trilateral meetings were held in Abu Dhabi and Geneva. They produced prisoner-of-war exchanges but did not deliver a wider agreement on the conflict’s central issues.
