Zelenskyy Hopes to Resume Trilateral Peace Talks with Russia Within Weeks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that Kyiv hopes to resume “meaningful” trilateral peace talks with Russia in the coming weeks following productive contacts with US officials. He expressed readiness to involve European partners and called on Russia not to “hide” from negotiations. Zelenskyy also accused Russia of planning additional attacks on northern Ukraine from Belarus and warned Minsk against direct involvement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that Kyiv hopes to resume “meaningful” trilateral peace talks with Russia in the coming weeks following what he described as “good contacts” and “productive contact” between Ukrainian and US officials.
Speaking during his evening address on Telegram on 20 May 2026, Zelenskyy underlined that Kyiv expects the Russian side “will not hide” from the negotiations. “If we can return to meaningful trilateral communication in these weeks and if we can involve the Europeans, that will be the right result. We, for our part, are ready for such appropriate steps. I expect that the partners will also be ready and that the Russians will not hide,” he said.
Trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US and Russia have stalled since the US-Israeli war against Iran began in late February. Ukraine and Russia have, however, maintained bilateral contact with the US. EU foreign ministers will discuss candidates for the role of negotiator with Russia on a peace settlement in Ukraine at a meeting in Cyprus next week. Former German chancellor Angela Merkel has declined the role of mediator, instead urging EU leaders to negotiate directly with the Kremlin.
Zelenskyy also accused Russia of “considering scenarios” for additional attacks on Ukraine’s northern regions along the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction from Belarus. “Of course, we are already working to strengthen our defense in the direction,” he said, adding that Ukraine was taking preventive measures regarding Belarus and parts of Russia “from where the threat comes.” He warned Belarus of “significant” consequences if Minsk becomes directly involved in the war. “Honestly, I am already tired of the constant threat to Ukraine that the Russians may at some point involve Belarus in the expansion of the war,” he said.
Zelenskyy further said Ukrainian “long-range sanctions” were proving effective, adding that Kyiv’s objectives for May were being fulfilled “more or less fully.” He cited a strike at a distance of “almost 800 kilometers (497 miles)” from Ukraine’s state border, in the city of Kstovo, targeting oil refining. “The distance is almost 800 kilometers (497 miles) from the state border of Ukraine, the city of Kstovo, oil refining, the defeat has been confirmed,” he said. The Ukrainian president said key targets included Russian refineries, storage facilities and other infrastructure linked to oil revenues.