Ukraine backs U.S. plan for three-way talks with Russia soon

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv supports the American proposal to hold a three-way meeting of U.S., Russian and Ukrainian teams as soon as possible. According to him, Washington learned of Moscow’s readiness for such a format after special envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.

Zelensky told journalists on WhatsApp after speaking with American representatives. “The American side proposes holding this meeting as soon as possible. We are in favor,” he said. He said the meeting could discuss peace proposals and a possible summit of leaders.

Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov, news agencies report, said earlier that Putin told the American envoy that Moscow is in principle ready to resume three-way talks on ways to end the war. The talks could take place in mid-November, and the main topic should be the security of Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends, Ushakov said. He told the Russian TV channel Vesti that a new round could be held in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Witkoff met Zelensky in Oslo on Tuesday, with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also taking part in the talks. The American envoy called the meeting productive and said progress had been made. He described his trip to Russia as constructive, saying the talks will continue in the form of three-way technical consultations between the U.S., Russia and Ukraine.

Since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Ukraine and Russia have held several rounds of three-way peace talks, the latest in February in Geneva. None of them produced a breakthrough on key issues: Russia has not dropped its maximalist demands, including that Ukraine also cede territory that Moscow has so far failed to seize. Kyiv has rejected this.

Ukraine has been repelling the Russian invasion for the fifth year. In recent weeks Russia has stepped up its strikes on Ukrainian cities. At the same time, it is noted, Trump, despite existing anti-Russian sanctions, is planning purchases of Russian oil and is pressing Zelensky to reach peace with Moscow quickly, and tensions between them have recently risen again.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz