Kyiv, October 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine is prepared to freeze combat operations along the current front lines to help bring a swift end to the conflict with Russia, while firmly rejecting any territorial concessions.
In an interview with ABC News, Zelensky expressed willingness to reach a ceasefire agreement but ruled out proposals that would require Ukraine to surrender 25 per cent of its territory.
Zelensky also voiced concern over a recent decline in US military assistance, saying Ukraine had received only 24 interceptor missiles for its Patriot air defence systems from the United States over the past three months, far below its average monthly requirement of 350.
Highlighting the urgency of Ukraine’s air defence needs, he said 30 ballistic missiles had struck Kyiv alone on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, US media reports have pointed to growing pressure from Washington on Zelensky to consider concessions as part of a potential peace agreement. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly blamed Kyiv for the lack of progress in US-brokered negotiations.
Amid continuing diplomatic efforts, trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States are planned for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that the discussions would focus on security arrangements for Russia and Ukraine following a potential peace settlement.
The Interfax-Ukraine news agency also reported that Zelensky had confirmed Ukraine’s readiness to participate in the proposed trilateral meeting next month.
In an online address to the Hudson Institute, a US-based think tank, Zelensky said the timing of negotiations at the negotiating-team level depended on the Russian side, adding that the meeting was currently planned for the first half of November.
He also stressed that European representatives must participate in the discussions, underlining the importance of broader international involvement in efforts to end the conflict.
Zelensky further called for negotiations to advance beyond technical-level discussions to a meeting between national leaders. He said a leaders’ summit was necessary because key issues could only be resolved at the highest political level.
The planned talks come as Ukraine maintains that a ceasefire along existing front lines could provide a basis for negotiations, while rejecting any settlement that involves surrendering its territory.
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