Zelensky says Ukraine-US-Russia technical talks set for first half of November; 270 POWs return

KYIV

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Oct. 23 (local time), appearing by video at an event hosted by the U.S. think tank Hudson Institute, that Ukraine, the United States and Russia had agreed to a trilateral meeting at the level of working teams. Zelensky said the plan is to hold the meeting in the "first half of November," as soon as possible. According to a transcript released by the Ukrainian presidential office that night, Zelensky said 270 Ukrainians had returned from Russia in a prisoner exchange. However, Zelensky said speed limits on Starlink and Starshield satellite communications and delays in the delivery of already agreed ballistic missile interceptors had not been resolved.

Zelensky announces trilateral talks schedule after call with Trump envoys

According to the Hudson Institute event notice, the special address ran for one hour from noon U.S. Eastern Time. The event was arranged as an in-person, invitation-only gathering, with Zelensky connected remotely. John P. Walters, president and CEO of the Hudson Institute, moderated the question-and-answer session. In the event notice, the institute said that as Ukrainians prepare for another difficult winter, "discussions across the West have reached a new intensity." The institute listed as topics how Ukraine can adequately hold the front line, defend civilians and secure a just and lasting peace at the negotiating table. The Ukrainian presidential office said more than 100 people attended, including the institute's leadership and analysts, American experts, diplomats and journalists. The office said Zelensky thanked attendees for their attention to Ukraine. The office described the Hudson Institute as a U.S. think tank founded in 1961 in Croton-on-Hudson, and added that the institute's leadership and staff have visited Ukraine several times since the full-scale invasion.

Zelensky said that just before the address, Zelensky and the Ukrainian team held a call with "President Trump's representatives," special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Zelensky apologized for being slightly late because of the call. The topics were the results of meetings in Oslo, Norway, and St. Petersburg, Russia, and "how we can move diplomacy forward this November."

Zelensky then said, "We have an agreement to hold a trilateral meeting – Ukraine, the United States, and Russia – at the team level." The plan is to meet as soon as possible in the first half of November, Zelensky said. Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to meet on any day, even tomorrow. "But it all depends on the Russians," Zelensky said. The Ukrainian presidential office's statements did not include the position presented by the Russian side at the St. Petersburg meeting.

After October meeting falls through, Zelensky calls for U.S. pressure and European participation

Zelensky said the trilateral meeting had originally been expected to take place in October. On why it did not happen, Zelensky said "the Russians came up with another reason not to meet."

Zelensky said this work must be done "of course with America, of course with Europe, and with all our other partners." "We need these meetings, and we need diplomacy to move forward," Zelensky said. Zelensky asked rhetorically whether such meetings could take place without the United States, or without U.S. pressure on Russia, and answered, "Probably not." The presidential office's statement summarized this passage as saying a trilateral meeting cannot take place without U.S. pressure. "And that's why we are really counting on you, on America, to keep this a priority at every level," Zelensky said.

Zelensky also demanded a place for Europe. Zelensky stressed that Europe must take part in the Ukraine-U.S.-Russia dialogue. The level of negotiations must also be raised, Zelensky said. "And we need to move from technical-level trilateral talks to a meeting of the leaders," Zelensky said, adding that key issues can only be resolved at that level.

Zelensky also addressed relations with the United States. Zelensky said Ukraine wants strong, friendly relations without misunderstandings between Ukraine, the United States and other partners. Without a strong America that cares about what happens in the world, the world would clearly be worse, Zelensky said. Explaining why Ukraine speaks directly to the world, Zelensky said that when people and societies in each country understand the situation, political leaders can choose a stronger path toward peace.

270 POWs return, but Zelensky calls it "the only good news"

Zelensky reported the results of a prisoner exchange. "We brought 270 of our people home to Ukraine from Russian captivity," Zelensky said. Zelensky said many of them had been held in "absolutely terrible conditions," and some had been in captivity since 2022. "I am proud of how strong our people are," Zelensky also said.

Zelensky called it very good news for the returnees and their families, but added, "it's the only good news so far." The date of the exchange and the number of people handed over to the Russian side do not appear in either of the presidential office's two statements.

Starlink speed limits and ballistic missile interceptor delays remain unresolved

"The other two pieces of news are not so good," Zelensky said. The first concerns satellite communications. "The speed limits on Starlink and Starshield are still there," Zelensky said, adding that speeds had not been restored.

The second concerns air defense. "We're waiting for interceptors that were already agreed on," Zelensky said, adding that delivery of interceptors to stop Russian ballistic missiles is still delayed. Zelensky said this is "a real problem for us" because the Russians attack almost every day. Zelensky also said Russia attacks on a massive scale.

Zelensky also described the situation at the front. Zelensky said Ukrainian forces are carrying out "quite successful operations" at the front, doing their best to keep supplies flowing and continuing to defend. While citing the Starlink and Starshield policy and speed limits as one reason the situation has become more difficult, Zelensky said, "But our frontline is still holding."

Winter preparations were also on the agenda. According to the presidential office, Ukraine has reached gas supply agreements with European partners. Delivery of Patriot interceptors remains a separate task. Zelensky said Ukraine is consulting with countries in Asia, the Middle East and Europe and is counting on a U.S. support package. Zelensky named energy and interceptors as the most important elements of the winter package.

Zelensky warns of Russian hybrid war on Europe, lays out four elements of security guarantees

Zelensky alleged that Russia is waging a hybrid war against Europe. The means Zelensky cited were drone attacks, cyberattacks and attempts to destabilize the Black Sea region. Zelensky said Russia's goal is to divide the European Union (EU) and weaken support for Ukraine.

Security guarantees were also discussed. Zelensky presented four key elements of peace: a strong Ukrainian army, financial support from partners, a clear response mechanism in case of future Russian aggression, and strengthened air defenses that will remain important after the war. "But we need not just peace. The peace must be fair and strong," Zelensky said. The strength of peace depends on security guarantees, Zelensky added. In the Hudson Institute address, Zelensky said "peace is what we want more than anything," and closed the address with "Glory to Ukraine!"