Ukraine readies for October restart of three-way peace talks with Russia and the US
Kyrylo Budanov said Kyiv is preparing to resume three-sided negotiations with Russia and the United States in October.
Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, told reporters that Ukraine is preparing for the resumption of three-way peace negotiations with Russia and the United States in October. His comments came days after U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner conducted visits to both Moscow and Kyiv, marking their first trips to the Russian capital since the conflict began. The last trilateral meeting was held in Geneva in February, after which diplomatic momentum slowed due to U.S. focus on Iran.
Zelenskiy praised the envoys' proposals and floated potential venues for the next summit, including Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Switzerland. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow has not dismissed the idea of renewed talks but did not specify a date or location. Core disagreements remain, especially over the status of Ukrainian-held areas in the Donbas region.
Why it matters
Renewed talks could alter the trajectory of the Russia-Ukraine war and affect regional stability.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report Ukraine’s preparation for October trilateral talks, but right-leaning coverage adds emphasis on Kremlin resistance and U.S. distraction, while centrist coverage sticks to the basic facts.
CENTER
Centrist coverage neutrally reports Ukraine’s readiness for October peace talks, citing statements, past meetings, and possible venues.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage highlights obstacles to the talks, stressing the Kremlin’s dismissal of a Putin-Zelensky meeting at the G20 and noting that U.S. focus on Iran has slowed diplomatic momentum.
The right emphasises
- Kremlin spokesman says a Putin-Zelensky meeting at the G20 is ‘impossible.’
- U.S. focus on Iran has slowed diplomatic momentum for the talks.
- Ukraine’s chief of staff says the country is ‘getting ready’ for talks as early as October.
How this story developed
- Aug 19 Black Sea grain shipments from Russia and Ukraine collapse, slashing export capacity
- Sep 8 President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin held a one‑hour phone conversation discussing steps to end the Ukraine conflict.
- Sep 8 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hopes to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in September to press for additional ballistic missiles.
- Sep 8 The leaders affirmed continuation of prisoner‑exchange talks and agreed to keep a direct phone line open.
- Sep 9 Ukrainian drones also struck the Russian Black Sea naval base in Novorossisk.
- Sep 9 Putin said capture of the entire eastern Donbass is only a matter of time.
- Sep 10 Zelensky called for European and U.S. leaders to take a stronger negotiating role and said Ukraine is ready to make concessions.
- Sep 10 Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is hopeful U.S.-backed Ukraine peace talks will restart soon.
- Sep 11 Sea drones detonated on the Sochi promenade, injuring civilians and prompting evacuations.
- Sep 11 Ukrainian intelligence now reports that daily Russian casualties regularly exceed recruitment capacity.
- Sep 11 Ukrainian drone strikes killed civilians in the Tula and Kursk regions.
- Sep 11 Putin warned Russian strikes on British bases would be kept secret after Britain agreed to share missile schematics with Ukraine.
- Sep 12 Zelensky said missile assistance will be a key agenda item for the September meeting.
- Sep 12 Kremlin invites Zelensky to Moscow for a possible meeting with Putin.
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