US works on Zelensky–Putin–Trump meeting, with December G20 summit among options

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on 17 October that the United States is working on a possible three-way meeting involving himself, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian media report. The meeting would concern Russia's war against Ukraine, but no concrete agreement has been reached so far.

Zelensky shared the information at an online briefing for journalists. According to him, the US is considering the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, both in the Middle East, as possible venues. Holding talks in one of the European countries is also considered possible.

Possible timing and venue

One option under consideration is the G20 summit, a gathering of leaders of the world's largest economies, scheduled for 14 and 15 December in Miami, United States. It remains unclear, however, whether Putin would attend. The meeting could therefore take place in December, but this has not been confirmed.

Moscow's position

Russia's stance complicates the organisation of the meeting. Moscow has previously rejected the idea of Putin meeting Zelensky in Miami, insisting that such talks could take place in Moscow. Zelensky, for his part, has not agreed to travel to the Russian capital.

At present, neither Moscow nor Washington has confirmed readiness to hold such a meeting. This means both the date and the venue remain uncertain, and whether the three leaders will meet at all is still an open question.