Ukraine is preparing for a fresh round of trilateral peace talks involving Russia and the United States in October 2026, though Moscow has dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposal for a face-to-face meeting at the upcoming G20 summit.
Zelensky’s chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, told Ukrainian media on Saturday the country was readying itself for the prospect of new talks involving Russia and the United States later this year aimed at ending more than four years of war.
Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Budanov, 40, said Ukraine was ‘getting ready’ for talks, suggesting they could take place as early as October.
However, Russia’s spokeperson Peskov, 58, insisted a meeting could only occur in Russia’s capital, saying ‘it is impossible,’ at the G20 summit or any alternative location.
Speaking to AFP in New Delhi on Saturday, the diplomat said: ‘There is a readiness to meet him [Zelensky] in Moscow.’
Peskov did not confirm if Mr Putin, 73, had been invited to the G20 summit, which will be held from December 14 to 15 in Miami, Florida and see leaders gather from across the globe.
Yet this is just one of numerous offers the Russian leader has rejected for a face-to-face meeting with Zelensky.
