Zelensky supports resuming trilateral peace talks with US, Russia after Putin claims Kremlin readiness

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Oct. 21 that Ukraine will support trilateral peace talks with the U.S. and Russia after Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed the Kremlin is ready to resume negotiations.

"We will support proposals regarding a ceasefire, ending the war, addressing the energy sector—and other sectors as well—as well as humanitarian initiatives, the return of prisoners, and the return of diplomats," Zelensky told reporters.

Zelensky's statement to journalists follows Putin meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff on Oct. 21. During their meeting, Putin and Witkoff discussed a "specific framework" by which the trilateral talks could take place, according to Russian state media.

"We see that (U.S.) President (Donald) Trump is quite sincere and consistent in his wish to facilitate a peaceful resolution and to set everything on the path toward a peace settlement," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russian state media.

Witkoff's visit to St. Petersburg follows his Oct. 20 meeting with Zelensky and European allies in Oslo to discuss peace proposals to pass along to the Kremlin. Witkoff described both the Oslo and St. Petersburg meetings as "constructive," but said "there is still important work left to do."

Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv received briefings of the Kremlin's readiness to meet.

"I do not yet know the final dates for this meeting," Zelensky said, though he stated talks would likely be held in November. "The agenda, naturally, is to end the war, bring peace closer, and—as I understand it—lay the groundwork for a meeting at the level of the leaders."

Stressing security guarantees and reconstruction plans in peace negotiations, Zelensky said that it would be important for Ukraine's European partners to be included in the talks.

While claiming the signs coming from the Kremlin were "positive," Zelensky also expressed weariness that Moscow would actually meet.

"We hope that Russia—which has stated many times that it is ready for a meeting in one format or another—will follow through," Zelensky said. "In the past, things have changed or been called off. We shall see how it goes this time."

The diplomatic push comes as Russia has escalated its attacks against Ukraine and inflicted unprecedented civilian casualties.

The U.N. Human Rights Office reported in early October that an average of more than 400 civilians were killed or injured every week in Ukraine during the first eight months of 2026, a 55% increase from the same period in 2025.

Leading up to the Witkoff-Putin meeting in St. Petersburg, Trump on Oct. 16 issued a broad waiver of sanctions, adopted under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act.

Trump lashed out online at critics of the move, claiming on Oct. 21 that doing so helped secure the release of U.S. prisoner Stephen Hubbard. After securing Hubbard's release, Witkoff praised Putin as a "humanitarian."

Detailing his talks with Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Oslo, Zelesnky said they discussed supporting Ukraine's drone defenses, development of air defense missiles, and communications connectivity.