Zelensky Revealed Details of What the U.S. Insists on for De‑Escalation of the War

The United States is insisting on three urgent steps to de-escalate the war in Ukraine. Among them are a halt to strikes on energy infrastructure, the resumption of the Black Sea grain corridor, and a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in an interview with Axios.

According to him, Washington is promoting the idea of a mutual halt to strikes on energy infrastructure. Ukraine is ready to agree to such a format.

The second step for the United States is the restoration of the Black Sea grain corridor.

The third proposal is a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. As a possible venue, the American side named Abu Dhabi. Zelenskiy also suggests that a leaders’ level meeting could take place during the G20 Summit in Miami in December.

"We are open — for any country, any format," Zelenskiy said.

At the same time, the Ukrainian president stated that he doubts Vladimir Putin’s willingness to hold a trilateral meeting and suggests that the Russian leader may find reasons to avoid it.

According to Zelenskiy, special envoys of the U.S. president, Steve Wittekoff and Jared Kushner, after meeting with Putin, were optimistic.

"They said, ‘We think Putin is ready.’ I said, ‘Listen, I’m not sure,’" Zelenskiy recounted.

In response, the American representatives, he said, replied: “No, we are close.”

BAGNET notes that earlier Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine is ready to accept any format of mutual restraint of strikes on energy infrastructure.

Also 24 in September, the president said that Donald Trump’s team is preparing new talks with the Russian side to end the war.