Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Kyiv is ready to resume talks with the United States next week on proposals aimed at ending the war with Russia, as the conflict approaches its fourth year.
Speaking in his Saturday evening address, Zelensky said Ukrainian negotiators were waiting for confirmation from Washington on the timing of further meetings. He added that Ukraine remains open to all working formats, stressing the importance of holding talks that deliver results.
His comments suggest that a second round of discussions, earlier expected to begin on Sunday in Abu Dhabi with US, Russian and Ukrainian officials, may have been postponed. Zelensky had previously hinted that the date and venue could change due to rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The remarks came after US envoy Steve Witkoff said he held “productive and constructive” talks with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida on Saturday.
Ukraine and Russia had held their first face-to-face negotiations last Friday and Saturday in Abu Dhabi under a peace plan backed by US President Donald Trump, with an agreement to meet again. While Washington says both sides are close to a deal, Kyiv maintains that major disagreements remain, particularly over territorial issues in any post-war settlement.
