Zelensky Says US Proposes October Talks With Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States is proposing technical-level trilateral talks with Ukraine and Russia by the end of October, and that Kyiv is ready to take part. The proposal has not been confirmed by Washington, and the reports do not establish that Moscow has accepted or that a meeting will be scheduled. Zelensky described the proposal at a news conference in Kyiv on October 4 alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He said the United States was in contact with both countries and that he had spoken with American negotiators on October 3. Zelensky said Ukraine was prepared to support the proposed timeline, but did not disclose further details about preparations. The venue remains undecided. Zelensky said Ukraine was open to meeting in the United Arab Emirates or another country proposed by the United States. The Emirates has hosted previous talks, but no location for this proposed meeting has been announced. A possible October meeting also has not been confirmed by Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last month that Russia did not rule out three-way talks in October, according to reports of his remarks.