Zelensky’s Office Director: Ukrainian-Russian Talks Could Take Place in September

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said on Thursday that talks between Ukrainian and Russian teams could take place in September, with participation from United States representatives.

Budanov added that Ukraine is seeking to revive the talks and predicted further developments next month. Peace talks led by the United States this year stalled after Ukraine rejected Russian demands to cede more territory, and as Washington became increasingly preoccupied with the war against Iran.

When asked by the Ukrainian news channel Novyny Live what he meant by direct talks between negotiators from Ukraine and Russia, Budanov said, “I hope so, yes, and there will be Americans, of course. We cannot do without them.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently stated that Ukraine saw a window of opportunity for U.S. mediation until the end of next summer, and had drafted a one-page set of ideas with American and European officials to present to Moscow.

The previous round of trilateral talks between Ukraine and Russia, with U.S. representatives, took place in February. Since then, Ukrainian and Russian representatives have held only separate talks with the U.S. team.