Zelenskyi named three steps the US wants Ukraine and Russia to achieve – Suspicion

Washington is proposing a temporary energy ceasefire, restoration of the grain corridor, and a tripartite talks

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has identified three priority steps within the effort to de-escalate Russia’s war against Ukraine. It concerns stopping strikes on energy infrastructure, restoring the grain corridor through the Black Sea, and a tripartite meeting of the United States, Ukraine, and Russia. This was reported by Glavcom, citing an interview with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky with Axios.

According to Zelensky, it was Washington that proposed mutual cessation of attacks on energy facilities. Ukraine is ready to agree to such a format. 'There is a proposal on the table: an energy ceasefire. We are ready,' the president said.

At the same time, Axios notes that after several days of negotiations and meetings on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, prospects for a quick agreement on the energy ceasefire remain uncertain.

The second priority for the United States is the restoration of the grain corridor through the Black Sea. Zelensky said that he discussed this issue with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as with representatives from India, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. 'Everyone wants a ceasefire. The corridor should start working again. We support this. I know they are in contact with the Russians. We will see,' he noted.

The third step should be a tripartite meeting involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia. According to Zelensky, the American side proposed initially to hold talks at the level of technical groups. One possible venue named is Abu Dhabi. 'We are open to proposals—any country, any format,' the president emphasized.

Ukrainian officials noted that some elements of the proposed format still require refinement over the next two weeks before Washington presents them to Moscow. Zelensky also expects Trump to focus primarily on trying to secure an agreement to stop strikes on energy infrastructure.

As a reminder, Zelensky previously stated that Ukraine would not unilaterally cease strikes on Russian oil refineries, industrial and energy facilities. According to him, the first real step toward de-escalation could be a mutual cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said that Ukraine and Russia are showing interest in a limited ceasefire that could pertain to energy and grain. He stressed, however, that such an agreement in itself would not mean the end of the war.