President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky held a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump's special representative Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The parties discussed preparations for trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia, which could take place in the first half of November.
Zelensky said this on October 23 during an online appearance at the Hudson Institute in Washington, Novini.LIVE reports.
According to the president, the meeting is expected to take place at the level of the negotiating teams of the three countries. Kyiv is interested in holding it as early as possible and is ready to participate in the talks without additional conditions regarding the date.
"We are ready to meet any day, even tomorrow, but everything depends on the Russians," — Zelensky emphasized.
The head of state noted that the parties are considering the first half of November as a possible period for the talks. However, the final date has not yet been agreed, as its determination depends, among other things, on Russia's position.
Zelensky reminded that similar trilateral talks were supposed to take place back in September. However, that meeting did not happen. According to the president, the Russian side found a reason to decline participation.
The current consultations follow talks between American representatives and Ukrainian and Russian leadership.
On October 20, Zelensky met with Witkoff in Oslo. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also took part in the discussions. Jared Kushner joined remotely.
The next day, October 21, Witkoff held talks with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. After the meeting, the American side announced its intention to continue the diplomatic process in a trilateral format.
As Kurs.com.ua previously reported, Witkoff said that Ukraine agreed to resume trilateral consultations during the talks in Oslo, and Russia supported such a possibility at the meeting in St. Petersburg.
Zelensky also said that Moscow, according to information received from the American side, supports holding talks at the team level. Their main task will be to discuss conditions for ending the war and preparing a possible meeting of the leaders of the three countries.
Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates is being considered as one of the likely venues for the new round. However, there is no official confirmation of the location and date of the talks yet.
Despite the resumption of diplomatic contacts, the parties have not announced reaching a compromise on key issues of a peaceful settlement, including territorial disputes, cessation of hostilities, and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Based on materials from: Novini.LIVE, Hudson Institute, Glavcom.
