The possibility of a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States has moved to the centre of diplomatic efforts to end the war, after both Kyiv and Moscow signalled their willingness to participate in talks between negotiating teams.
The proposed meeting follows renewed diplomatic activity and comes as US President Donald Trump voiced optimism about prospects for a breakthrough.
Zelenskyy backs early meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv supports the US proposal after learning that the Kremlin is also prepared to take part.
“We learned that Russia supports a trilateral meeting at the level of our teams. The American side proposes holding such a meeting as soon as possible. We support it,” Zelenskyy told reporters.
According to the Ukrainian president, Kyiv would like the meeting to take place no later than early November.
Potential topics include peace proposals as well as the possibility of a future summit involving national leaders.
Zelenskyy also said discussions had taken place with US officials following the visit of US envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia, where he met President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.
Meanwhile, a US official said Russia has accepted Washington's proposal for a trilateral meeting with Ukraine.
Trump: 'We've perhaps never been this close'
Trump again struck an optimistic tone when discussing efforts to end the conflict.
“The other day, I was talking with Vladimir Putin about settling his war with Ukraine, and I think we are really getting close. Perhaps we've never been this close,” he told reporters at the White House.
It is not the first time Trump has suggested that an end to the war may be approaching.
However, previous diplomatic efforts have yet to produce a settlement, with Moscow maintaining its position on key demands.
Trump thanks Russia over American's release
During the same remarks, Trump thanked Russia for the release of Stephen Hubbard, a US citizen who had been detained in the country for four years.
“We gave up nothing in return,” the US president said.
Focus remains on potential talks
The proposed trilateral meeting remains the focus of ongoing diplomatic contacts, with Ukraine seeking to hold the talks by early November.
If held, the discussions are expected to examine peace proposals and the prospects for a future summit between leaders as efforts continue to find a path towards ending the war.
Source: ANA-MPA
