Zelensky announces US proposal for technical trilateral talks as Merz pledges aid in Kyiv

Proposed trilateral talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday that the United States has proposed holding trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the US by the end of October 2026. Speaking at a joint press conference in Kyiv alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelensky stated that the proposed talks would take place at a technical level. Zelensky confirmed that he spoke directly with the American negotiating team on 3 October to discuss the plan. The Ukrainian government responded positively to the initiative and indicated readiness to attend. Zelensky added that Kyiv remains open to holding the talks in the United Arab Emirates or any other host country recommended by Washington, while awaiting Moscow's formal response.

The American side is currently in contact with Ukraine and Russia and proposes that a meeting at the technical level, in a trilateral format, take place in some way by the end of October.

Diplomatic progression since September

The proposal follows diplomatic exchanges held in late September. On 22 September, Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. During that meeting, Trump stated that he expects a deal to conclude the war, while Zelensky reaffirmed that he is prepared to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at any time. On 25 September, Zelensky stated that Washington proposed a trilateral meeting in the United Arab Emirates to negotiate terms for ending the conflict, an initiative that Kremlin officials also confirmed was under preparation that same day.

German Chancellor visits Kyiv amid air strikes

Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday as air defense sirens sounded four times across the capital during the morning. Explosions and air defense operations took place throughout the city as Russian forces targeted bridges connecting the two banks of Kyiv to disrupt supply routes. Merz and Zelensky visited the damaged Ukrainian Academy of Sciences building, located near the German embassy, where at least two people died in a drone strike the previous week. Merz condemned the strikes and called directly on Moscow to halt military operations.

These barbaric attacks against Ukraine's civilian population must stop. These are daily war crimes.

German aid package and joint drone production

During the bilateral visit, German government officials stated that Berlin is preparing an assistance package comprising €1 billion in military aid and €350 million to repair damaged energy infrastructure. Berlin and Kyiv also moved to finalize an agreement for the joint production of several types of unmanned aerial vehicles. Zelensky noted in a post on X that both countries are establishing agreements to strengthen defenses, writing that Russia must be stopped together. Zelensky also stated that Russian strikes against urban infrastructure and bridges aim to force civilians to abandon major Ukrainian cities and weaken resistance.

They are bombing bridges. Do they really think that we will not react? I am simply amazed by this brutish desire to escalate the situation every day.