Zelenskyy hopes to resume trilateral peace talks with Russia in coming weeks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that Kyiv hopes to resume "meaningful" trilateral peace talks with Russia in the coming weeks following what he described as "good contacts" between Ukrainian and US officials. Speaking during his evening address on Telegram, he underlined that Kyiv expects the Russian side "will not hide" from the negotiations.

European involvement

"If we can return to meaningful trilateral communication in these weeks and if we can involve the Europeans, that will be the right result. We, for our part, are ready for such appropriate steps. I expect that the partners will also be ready and that the Russians will not hide," he said.

Belarus threat

Zelenskyy also accused Russia of "considering scenarios" for additional attacks on Ukraine's northern regions along the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction from Belarus. "Of course, we are already working to strengthen our defense in the direction," he said, adding that Ukraine was taking preventive measures. He warned Belarus of "significant" consequences if Minsk becomes directly involved in the war.

Long-range sanctions

Zelenskyy further said Ukrainian "long-range sanctions" were proving effective, adding that Kyiv's objectives for May were being fulfilled "more or less fully." He said key targets included Russian refineries, storage facilities, and other infrastructure linked to oil revenues, with a confirmed hit at Kstovo, nearly 800 kilometers from Ukraine's border.