Zelensky names the condition for US, China and Russia talks on Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the US, China and Russia may hold trilateral talks, but any decisions about Ukraine's future must be made exclusively with its participation. Kyiv will not agree to discussing the terms for ending the war without Ukrainian representatives.

The head of state said this on October 20 during a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb following talks in Oslo.

Answering journalists' questions about a possible trilateral summit of US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Zelensky stressed that he does not object to contacts between these states if they discuss their own issues.

“I don't know what this trilateral meeting between America, China and Russia is. It's up to them to decide. But if it concerns Ukraine, our future, it can only be acceptable when we are at the negotiating table,” — the president said.

He reminded about the principle “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” which Kyiv considers a mandatory condition for any international negotiations affecting Ukrainian interests.

Zelensky also confirmed interest in holding another trilateral summit — with the participation of Ukraine, the US and Russia. In his opinion, the most difficult issues of a peaceful settlement, including territorial problems and security guarantees, need to be resolved directly at the level of heads of state.

Earlier it was reported that Putin proposed holding a meeting with Trump and Xi Jinping to discuss ending the war against Ukraine. The proposed format does not include Zelensky's participation.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the potential summit may take place in November on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in China's Shenzhen.

Trump has previously stated that he is open to such a meeting, but has not given final consent to participate. There are currently no official agreements between Washington, Beijing and Moscow regarding the date, agenda and composition of participants.

Meanwhile, on October 20 in Oslo, Ukraine, the US and European partners held a new round of consultations on a peaceful settlement. According to Zelensky, the talks were constructive, and the American side intends to present the prepared proposals to Russia on October 21.

The president stressed that Ukraine will continue diplomatic efforts to end the war, but decisions determining its security and future must be made with the direct participation of Kyiv.

Based on materials from: Volodymyr Zelensky's press conference, The Guardian, NV.