Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the US is exploring possible agreements between Russia and Ukraine to reduce tensions during the winter period. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
In an interview with Axios, Zelensky said Washington is also trying to revive negotiations on a broader peace agreement. In his view, the few weeks before winter could be a suitable time to intensify diplomacy.
Zelensky believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to use the cold period to increase pressure on Ukraine, but does not want to spoil relations with US leader Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections in the United States.
"I have the feeling that Putin needs Trump. He doesn't want to upset him," Zelensky said.
Possible agreements could cover energy, grain supplies, power plants, as well as oil and gas exports. Specific conditions and the list of facilities have not yet been agreed.
"There are ideas regarding energy, grain, electricity, as well as oil and gas. We have different interests with Russia," the Ukrainian president noted.
On September 6, Zelensky met in Kyiv with US President's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. This was their first visit to Ukraine since the start of Trump's second presidential term.
The day before, US representatives held a three-hour meeting with Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. According to Zelensky, American mediators conveyed to Kyiv that the Russian side was allegedly ready to return to discussing a peace settlement.
The Ukrainian president was skeptical of this statement. In his opinion, Russia's actions on the battlefield and increased attacks do not yet indicate Moscow's readiness for compromise.
After trips to Moscow and Kyiv, Steve Witkoff reported progress in the negotiations. According to him, the sides are discussing organizing new meetings in a trilateral format with the participation of the US, Russia, and Ukraine.
"Significant progress has been made, including on organizing additional trilateral negotiations," Witkoff wrote.
The Kremlin did not rule out resuming trilateral negotiations, but said it was too early to discuss their venue and timing, Reuters reports.
National security advisers from Germany, France, and the UK also participated in the consultations in Kyiv.
As DW reported, citing a source in the Elysee Palace, American representatives stated Russia's "new readiness" for dialogue after the State Duma elections scheduled for September 18-20.
European representatives outlined their demands for possible negotiations. They concern territories, sanctions, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. The specific format of future meetings has not yet been determined.