Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia could take place between November 6 and 10. Key issues on the agenda include a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, the return of Ukrainian children, territorial issues and security guarantees.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the remarks on October 28 during a joint press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten in The Hague.
According to the president, a specific date for the trilateral meeting is expected to be set after November 4, when the US side will be ready to provide answers following the American elections.
“We are waiting for the American side. We hope they will be ready with all the answers after their elections. And it is clear that after November 4, we will have a date. The agenda is clear. They must prepare a trilateral meeting at the leaders’ level,” Zelenskyy said.
The issues to be discussed include a ceasefire affecting energy infrastructure and at sea, exchanges of prisoners and prisoners of war, the release of Ukrainian civilians imprisoned in Russia, and the return of children.
Ukraine is also ready to discuss territorial issues, but only at the leaders’ level, Zelenskyy stressed. The president also said Ukraine was working to involve the European Union and European countries in the negotiation process. According to him, the United States supports their participation, while Russia opposes it.
“After all, we are talking about security guarantees for Ukraine, and I do not see how this can happen without Europe,” Zelenskyy said.
At the same time, Ukraine is ready for talks in any format to avoid missing an opportunity to advance the peace process.
Regarding a possible face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin, Zelenskyy said he did not yet know when it could take place. He emphasized that discussing sensitive issues such as territories and security guarantees requires negotiations at the leaders’ level with Ukraine’s participation.
