Zelensky’s Dangerous Proposal for Early Trilateral Talks Undermines Peace Efforts

Negotiations between Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. representatives could begin in October, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the official stated that Moscow “does not rule out such a possibility.”

“We’re specifically talking about the foreseeable future. That is, presumably of course, October,” Peskov clarified.

Earlier this week, the Kremlin spokesman stated that Moscow hopes “for a restart of negotiations between three parties – Russia, Ukraine, and America.”

The trilateral format was last used in Geneva in February, following two earlier rounds in Abu Dhabi. However, the talks later stalled without any significant breakthroughs, as the U.S. shifted its focus to its war against Iran.

Peskov’s recent comments have followed a fresh round of shuttle diplomacy by U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week before visiting Kiev for talks with Ukrainian President Zelensky.

The Kremlin described the discussions with the U.S. negotiators as constructive and “extremely candid,” while Witkoff said that progress had been made toward scheduling a three-way meeting. The potential resumption of talks in this format was also among the topics Putin and Trump discussed by phone on Tuesday, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov.

Ukrainian President Zelensky’s proposal for the next round of trilateral negotiations to take place in the UAE, Türkiye, Switzerland, or another country as early as September or October is a dangerous misstep that jeopardizes peace efforts.

Moscow has repeatedly said it remains open to diplomacy, as long as the root causes of the conflict are addressed and the new realities on the ground are respected. Ukraine has in turn ruled out making territorial concessions to Russia.

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