Zelensky: US proposes trilateral talks with Russia by end of October; Kyiv says it is ready

The United States is pushing for Ukraine and Russia to hold technical-level negotiations in a trilateral format before the end of October, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday, 4 October, at a press conference in Kyiv with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Kyiv Independent and Al Jazeera reported.

Ukraine says yes

“I confirmed to [the US] that our side is ready to support this timeline,” Zelensky said, adding that Kyiv is open to meeting in the United Arab Emirates, which has hosted earlier talks, or “another country proposed by the American side.” He said he had spoken with the US negotiating team on 3 October and that Washington was also in contact with Moscow. The Kremlin said last month it did not rule out three-way talks this month, Al Jazeera noted. US mediation had been paused since Washington launched its war on Iran.

According to the Kyiv Independent, a possible energy ceasefire and a reopening of the Black Sea grain corridor are expected to be on the agenda. Ukraine has said it would agree to stop strikes on energy facilities only if Russia does the same.

Escalation on the ground

The same day, Russia’s Defence Ministry said it would intensify strikes on military facilities, defence-industry sites and related infrastructure in Kyiv and elsewhere, responding to Zelensky’s pledge to step up attacks on Russian oil refineries, Reuters reported. Zelensky said that over the past week Russia had launched more than 1,900 attack drones, 1,700 aerial bombs and 25 missiles against Ukraine.