Zelenskyy confirms trilateral talks with Russia and US in November

Ukrainian leader says meeting could address territorial issues at leadership level

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

Updated26 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Sunday that a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the United States and Russia will take place in November, aiming to restart stalled peace talks in the fifth year of Russia's invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Ukrainian television that a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the United States and Russia is set for November. "We are ready to talk. If it's a territorial issue, it must be addressed at a leadership level. Other issues fall within the remit of the technical groups. All this can therefore be discussed in November," he said.

The talks are part of intensified diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration. US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Zelenskyy and European leaders in Oslo, then with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Following the meetings, both Kyiv and Moscow voiced readiness to resume direct talks mediated by Washington.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said on Sunday that Moscow is ready to resume talks after November 4, when Russia celebrates National Unity Day. He described the first meeting as a "trial run" and said a peace agreement "still needs work." The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected ceasefire proposals, demanding instead that Kyiv cede the Donbas region. Ukraine has agreed to multiple US ceasefire proposals.

Previous rounds of trilateral talks were held in Abu Dhabi and Geneva early this year but little progress was reported. Zelenskyy, in an audio message, said: "The agenda is clear: to end the war, bring peace closer, and, as I understand it, prepare everything for a meeting at the leaders’ level."

The new development comes as Trump has recently lashed out at Zelenskyy, attempted an energy ceasefire that failed, and eased sanctions on Russian oil exports, actions he said could encourage Moscow toward negotiations.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The Russia-Ukraine war, now in its fifth year, has caused tens of thousands of casualties and destabilized Europe. Any resumption of negotiations could alter the course of the conflict.
The trilateral format with the US as mediator reflects Washington's central role in shaping outcomes.
The talks will test whether the sides can bridge fundamental disagreements on territorial control.

Background

Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Previous peace talks have failed due to Moscow's demand for Ukrainian territorial concessions. The Trump administration has sought to restart dialogue through direct mediation, with US envoys shuttling between European leaders and the Kremlin in recent weeks.

Key Perspectives

Ukraine (Volodymyr Zelenskyy): expressed readiness for talks, saying territorial issues must be addressed at leadership level and the agenda is to end the war and bring peace closer. Russia (Yuri Ushakov): ready to resume talks after Nov. 4, but views the first meeting as a trial run; demands Kyiv cede the Donbas region. Russia (Vladimir Putin): agreed in principle to restart talks after Nov. 10, and is reportedly seeking a meeting with Trump in China without Ukraine's participation.

What to Watch

Whether the trilateral meeting yields any progress on a ceasefire or political settlement.
Putin's possible meeting with Trump in China next month, which could sideline Ukraine.
The impact of Trump's sanctions relief and other recent policy changes on Russia's willingness to negotiate.

Sources

Ukraine's Zelenskyy confirms trilateral talks with Russia and US to take place in November · Euronews
Zelensky details expectations for upcoming trilateral peace talks with Russia, US · Kyiv Independent
Moscow ready to resume trilateral talks with Ukraine, US after Nov. 4, Kremlin aide says · Kyiv Independent

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedZelenskyy said on Sunday that a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the US and Russia is set to take place in November.Euronews: “Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the US and Russia is set to take place in November”
SupportedThe meeting could address territorial issues at leadership level.Euronews: “If it's a territorial issue, it must be addressed at a leadership level.”
SupportedThe meeting is intended to restart stalled peace talks.Euronews: “The trilateral talks aim to restart stalled peace talks between Ukraine and Russia”
SupportedRussia's invasion is in its fifth year.Euronews: “with the latter's invasion well into its fifth year.”
SupportedZelenskyy said, “We are ready to talk. If it's a territorial issue, it must be addressed at a leadership level. Other issues fall within the remit of the technical groups. All this can therefore be discussed in November.”Euronews: “"We are ready to talk. If it's a territorial issue, it must be addressed at a leadership level. Other issues fall within the remit of the technical groups. All this can therefore be discussed in November," Zelenskyy said in an interview with Ukrainian television.”
Reports differUshakov said Moscow was ready to resume talks after November 4.Kyiv Independent: “"The next deadline is now Nov. 4, our major holiday. After that, we will be ready to resume negotiations," Ushakov said.”
Partly supportedUshakov called the first meeting a “trial run.”Kyiv Independent: “Ushakov said he did not expect the first trilateral meeting after the pause to yield significant results, calling it a "trial run."”
SupportedUshakov said a peace agreement “still needs work.”Kyiv Independent: “A peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine "still needs work," he added.”
Partly supportedThe Kremlin has repeatedly rejected ceasefire proposals and demanded that Kyiv cede the Donbas region.Kyiv Independent: “The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected ceasefire proposals, demanding instead that Kyiv cede the only partially occupied Donbas, a strategically important region in eastern Ukraine.”
SupportedUkraine has agreed to multiple US ceasefire proposals.Kyiv Independent: “Ukraine, in contrast, has agreed to multiple ceasefire proposals put forward by the U.S.”
SupportedZelenskyy said in an audio message, “The agenda is clear: to end the war, bring peace closer, and, as I understand it, prepare everything for a meeting at the leaders’ level.”Euronews: “"The agenda is clear: to end the war, bring peace closer, and, as I understand it, prepare everything for a meeting at the leaders’ level,” Zelenskyy said in an audio message issued late Wednesday.”
Partly supportedTrump said his actions, including easing sanctions on Russian oil exports, could encourage Moscow toward negotiations.Kyiv Independent: “Trump has defended the sanctions relief, arguing that it could encourage Moscow to take part in peace negotiations with Kyiv.”

Correction

26 October 2026An earlier version of this story said Yuri Ushakov made his remarks on Friday. He made them on Sunday, October 25. It also omitted the qualification "as I understand it" from Zelenskyy's comments about preparing for a leaders' meeting. The full quote has been restored.