New Delhi: Ukraine is ready to participate in a new round of US-backed talks with Russia aimed at reviving diplomatic efforts to end the war, President
Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday. Kyiv has agreed to join a proposed trilateral meeting with the United States and Russia at the technical level by the end of October.
Speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv, Zelensky said he had confirmed Ukraine’s willingness to support the US timeline. He added that the meeting could be held in the United Arab Emirates, which has hosted previous rounds of talks, or another location proposed by Washington.
US proposes trilateral talks by end of October
Zelensky said American negotiators are currently in contact with both Kyiv and Moscow over the proposed meeting. According to him, Washington has already presented the idea to Russia and Kyiv is now waiting for Moscow’s response.
“The American side is in contact with Ukraine and Russia today and is proposing that a meeting be held in a trilateral format at the technical level by the end of October,” Zelensky said. He added that Ukraine was ‘open’ to the UAE or another country suggested by the US.
The proposed talks would mark another attempt by the Trump administration to restart negotiations after previous diplomatic efforts failed to produce a lasting ceasefire. US representatives, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have been involved in efforts to bring Moscow and Kyiv back to the negotiating table.
Talks come amid fresh Russian strikes
The diplomatic push comes as fighting continues to intensify. Russia has stepped up drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, while Kyiv has continued strikes against Russian military and energy-related targets.
Zelensky accused Moscow of escalating the conflict and said Russia had targeted civilian infrastructure, including data centres and mobile network facilities. He also warned that Ukraine would continue responding to Russian attacks.
At the same time, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv and announced more than €1.3 billion in new support for Ukraine, including €1 billion in military assistance and about €350 million for energy infrastructure ahead of winter.
Despite the continued fighting, Kyiv has repeatedly signalled that it is willing to return to negotiations. India has also indicated that it wants to play a larger role in diplomatic efforts, including discussions around Black Sea shipping, grain and energy exports and possible non-attack arrangements.
