Zelenskyy says US proposes trilateral talks with Russia, Ukraine in UAE
Zelenskyy says Washington has proposed technical-level trilateral talks with Russia in the UAE, as outlets across regions report varying details on venue, participants and the wider diplomatic push.
What happened
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States has proposed a trilateral meeting with Russia and Ukraine, suggesting the United Arab Emirates as the venue.1245
According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy described the proposed talks as technical-level and said Kyiv is waiting for Washington to set a date.5
The proposal follows a meeting between Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where discussions also covered sanctions, air defense and Black Sea shipping.23
Zelenskyy separately said he asked Trump to urge China to use its influence to help end Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and noted that India, Turkey, Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries are taking part in talks on unblocking Black Sea shipping.37
What's agreed
Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.
- The US has proposed that the United Arab Emirates host a trilateral meeting between Ukraine and Russia, according to Zelenskyy.1245
- Zelenskyy held talks with US President Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, during which the proposal emerged.23
- Discussions with the US also touched on issues including sanctions, air defense, and Black Sea shipping.37
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
Level and format of the proposed talks
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese state mediaEast Asia | Frames the story around the US floating the UAE as a venue for talks, presenting it as a straightforward diplomatic development.1 | US proposal, UAE venue |
| Turkish state-controlled outletMiddle East & Turkey | Emphasizes the technical-level nature of the proposed talks and Kyiv's wait for a US-set date, closely following Zelenskyy's own framing.5 | technical-level talks, awaiting date, UAE venue |
| European independent outletEurope | Places the talks proposal in context of the Zelensky-Trump UN meeting, framing it as a follow-on from that encounter.2 | UN General Assembly meeting, new round of peace talks |
| Southeast Asian outletsSoutheast Asia | One outlet frames the story around the length of the war and the trilateral proposal, while a state-controlled outlet separately emphasizes Zelenskyy's Black Sea ceasefire readiness and pressure on Russia to respond.46 | four-and-a-half-year war, Black Sea ceasefire, onus on Russia |
| Middle East-based outletsMiddle East & Turkey | Coverage here is more varied, with one outlet highlighting Zelenskyy's request for China's involvement and use of the term invasion, and another focusing on the broader group of nations, including India, Turkey and Egypt, involved in Black Sea shipping talks.37 | China's role, invasion, Black Sea shipping, multinational involvement |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed reported Russia's response to the proposed trilateral talks or the suggested UAE venue.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported a specific date or timeline for the proposed talks beyond Zelenskyy saying Kyiv is awaiting one from the US.
- None of the outlets reviewed detailed what topics or agenda items the technical-level talks would cover.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported China's response to Zelenskyy's request for its involvement.
Why it matters
The proposed talks would mark a new attempt at trilateral engagement between the US, Ukraine and Russia as the war continues into its fourth and a half year.4
Zelenskyy has also sought to broaden diplomatic involvement, including asking Trump to enlist China's help and citing participation by India, Turkey, Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries in related Black Sea shipping talks.37
What to watch
- Whether the US sets a date for the proposed trilateral talks.
- Whether Russia responds to the proposed UAE venue or format of talks.
- Developments in the separate Black Sea shipping and maritime truce discussions.
Sources (7)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
Europe
- 2The Moscow TimesNLIndependent
U.S. Proposed New Round of Ukraine Peace Talks in UAE, Zelensky Says
Middle East & Turkey
- 3Arab NewsSAPrivate
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says he urged Trump to enlist China’s help in ending Russia’s invasion
- 5Anadolu AgencyTRState-controlled
Zelenskyy says US proposes technical-level trilateral talks with Russia, Ukraine
- 7The Jerusalem PostILPrivate
Zelensky says India, Turkey, Egypt, Middle Eastern nations involved in Black Sea shipping talks
East Asia
- 1CGTNCNState-controlled
Zelenskyy says US floated UAE as venue for talks with Russia
Southeast Asia
- 4The Straits TimesSGPrivate
US proposes trilateral meeting with Ukraine, Russia in UAE, Zelenskiy says
- 6CNASGState-controlled
Zelenskyy says Ukraine ready for maritime truce and puts onus on Russia to respond