Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv is prepared to participate in peace negotiations involving Russia and the United States, while criticizing President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend new sanctions targeting Moscow and major purchasers of Russian energy.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Saturday, Oct. 17, that his government is prepared to enter peace negotiations in virtually any format or location, signaling a willingness to pursue renewed diplomacy as President Donald Trump moves to ease economic pressure on Russia.
Zelensky’s remarks followed Trump’s decision Friday to waive major provisions of a recently enacted sanctions law targeting Russia and countries purchasing its oil and natural gas. The decision has prompted criticism from Ukrainian officials and lawmakers in both American political parties.
“The American negotiating track will continue,” Zelensky wrote in a statement on X.
“We’re counting on them to put more pressure on Putin, not on us. Otherwise, it’s simply unfair.”
The Ukrainian president said Washington had indicated another round of discussions could take place as early as next week, although no meeting had been formally announced.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine would not insist on a particular negotiating structure, leaving open the possibility of direct talks with Russia or broader discussions involving additional countries.
He said he was “ready to negotiate anywhere, and we’re ready for any format: three-way, two-way, four-way, five-plus – it doesn’t matter. What matters is peace. The American side has given us a signal that our meeting with them can happen next week.”
The comments reflect Kyiv’s efforts to maintain diplomatic engagement with Washington while opposing any settlement that would require Ukraine to accept territorial concessions without adequate security guarantees.
Zelensky also called for European governments to participate directly in negotiations with Moscow and indicated that Ukraine would hold discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government has previously helped facilitate diplomatic exchanges between the two countries.
A potential meeting involving the United States, Ukraine and Russia could be held in the Middle East or during the upcoming Group of 20 summit in Miami.
“The United States has always mentioned the UAE or Saudi Arabia. Another possibility is for the meeting to take place in the United States during the G20 summit,” Zelensky said.
Neither Washington nor Moscow has confirmed a three-way meeting. The Ukrainian president’s comments were also discussed in coverage of the latest peace proposals.
The renewed diplomatic discussions come amid controversy over Trump’s decision to suspend new economic penalties authorized under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.
Trump signed an executive order Friday waiving the law’s sanctions provisions and tariffs, which were scheduled to take effect Oct. 18.
The legislation provided for tariffs of 100% on goods from major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas, as well as duties reaching 500% on certain Russian imports.
China and India are among the largest purchasers of Russian crude oil and would have been significant targets of the new trade penalties.
The law, named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., also gave the president authority to suspend its restrictions after certifying that doing so served American national interests.
“I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States,” Trump’s order states.
The administration said immediately enforcing the sanctions could interfere with ongoing American efforts to negotiate an end to the war.
Under the order, the waivers remain effective until the president or secretary of state determines “further action is appropriate.”
Existing Russia-related sanctions imposed under other authorities were not automatically canceled by the executive order.
The decision follows a separate energy agreement between Washington and Moscow intended to increase diesel supplies amid concerns about fuel prices.
Trump announced last week that an arrangement with Russian President Vladimir Putin would make nearly 2 million metric tons of diesel available to international markets by the end of December, with approximately 3 million additional tons potentially following.
The president presented the agreement as part of an effort to lower energy costs for American consumers and industries.
“Between our TOTAL CONTROL of the Strait of Hormuz, and this great announcement on Russian Energy, Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority.”
The administration’s energy policy and sanctions decision have generated additional political debate, with critics arguing that expanded Russian energy exports could provide additional revenue to Moscow during the war.
Zelensky has similarly objected to suspending economic pressure, maintaining that Russia should face greater consequences for continuing military operations against Ukraine.
Trump’s administration argues that diplomatic flexibility, including economic negotiations, could help create conditions for a peace settlement.
For now, the two governments remain divided over sanctions even as Kyiv signals its readiness for another round of talks.
The next development will depend on whether Washington can arrange a meeting acceptable to both Ukrainian and Russian officials. No ceasefire agreement or negotiating date has been confirmed.
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