Ukraine, U.S., Russia to discuss limited ceasefire during trilateral talks in October

U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Moscow on September 5 in a bid to jumpstart the stalled negotiation process, according to the report.

Ukrainian officials stated that trilateral peace talks between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia could resume as early as October.

The potential talks are expected to focus on a limited ceasefire, specifically targeting a halt to military strikes on Black Sea commercial shipping and critical energy infrastructure.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, announced on September 12 that the next round of trilateral peace talks is slated for October.

“We are preparing for October,” Budanov told reporters.

Ukraine-Russia peace talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Axios on September 7 that Kyiv plans to use September and October to revive the diplomatic track toward ending the war, pointing to the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York as a potential venue for new talks with the United States. 

The diplomatic track kicked off earlier this month when U.S. presidential special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held consecutive talks in Moscow and Kyiv. The envoys met with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Moscow on September 5 before traveling to Ukraine the following day for their first official visit to participate in negotiations aimed at ending the war.

During meetings in Kyiv, Kushner emphasized that Washington's goals extend beyond a simple ceasefire, stating that Trump is committed to securing a lasting, long-term peace agreement.

Following the envoys' return to Washington, Trump held a phone call with Putin on September 8, though he did not place a corresponding call to Zelenskyy.

Following what he described as a “wonderful conversation” with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, Trump stated on September 9 that Moscow was ready to conclude a peace agreement, expressing hope that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would also accept the terms.

Kushner stated on September 12 that while the U.S. is pushing for trilateral talks to end the war, Washington acknowledges a significant lack of a shared vision among the parties, with territorial control remaining the most difficult obstacle.