Zelensky calls Putin's statements about readiness for talks a possible 'political trick'

Kremlin statements called into question

On Sunday, October 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an interview with the Ukrainian TV channel TSN, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's statements about readiness for peace talks may turn out to be a 'political trick', aimed at avoiding an escalation of tensions with Washington ahead of the US midterm elections. According to him, the Kremlin's true intentions will be revealed through actions and willingness to negotiate, and the trilateral talks in November will show whether Putin's position is a 'trick,' Anadolu reports.

Alternatives and 'red lines'

Zelensky confirmed Kyiv's readiness for trilateral talks between technical groups in November, but stressed that they must produce concrete results. If a full settlement is not possible at the upcoming talks, he proposed an energy ceasefire, agreements on maritime security and grain supplies, a prisoner exchange on an 'all for all' formula, or a meeting of the leaders of Ukraine, the US and Russia. 'Energy, grain, people — these are concrete things, and a leaders-level meeting is a chance to get something concrete after our trilateral format,' Anadolu quotes him as saying. The territorial issue, in Zelensky's view, can only be discussed at the leaders' level — he called it a 'red line'. He also rejected any limits on Ukraine's armed forces and any demand for the country's neutrality.

Sanctions as a negotiating asset

Zelensky said he does not want Ukraine to enter a leaders-level trilateral meeting after the sanctions against Moscow are lifted. 'I don't want to end up in a meeting with Putin without instruments — without sanctions, without money or frozen assets. Because then, as Mr. Trump said, we really won't have many cards in the deck,' Anadolu quotes him.

Localized ceasefire in Oleshky

Touching on the localized ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, which is under Russian control and was organized with the involvement of US First Lady Melania Trump, Zelensky said that the US proposed a silence regime starting October 27 lasting several days so that humanitarian missions could access the area. He noted that Russian forces would need to demine the roads to provide access, and expressed concern that Moscow might try to direct evacuees to its own territory instead of allowing them to leave freely. 'Of course, Russia will do everything to demine the roads in such a way that these people leave for Russia and stay there. They are not going to simply let people go,' he said. According to him, part of the civilians will be evacuated to Ukrainian-controlled territory, and the priority is ending the blockade and the safety of residents.

Context

The statements were made ahead of the trilateral talks of technical groups planned for November, which, in Zelensky's own assessment, will serve as a test of Moscow's real intentions. The practical significance for participants in the negotiation process is that Kyiv ties its position to maintaining sanctions pressure while at the same time offering a package of interim measures — from an energy ceasefire to a prisoner exchange. The Anadolu publication contains no official reaction from Moscow to these remarks, and the final agenda of the November talks remains uncertain.