Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the United States has suggested postponing the planned negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to next week. These discussions were originally intended to take place in the United Arab Emirates but have now been delayed. Zelensky mentioned that possible venues for the negotiations could include Switzerland or Turkey, indicating a desire for a neutral ground amidst the ongoing conflict.

The repeated cycles of trilateral negotiations have yet to yield any significant breakthroughs in resolving the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, which began when Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022. In his message to journalists, including those from AFP, Zelensky expressed a cautious optimism about the upcoming discussions, contingent on the developments in the Middle East, suggesting that geopolitical influences will play a role in the negotiations' dynamics.

Additionally, Zelensky has been in communication with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has maintained active collaboration with both Kyiv and Moscow during the war. This dialogue included discussions about the situation in Iran as well, underscoring the multifaceted nature of international relations surrounding the Ukraine conflict. Zelensky reiterated the importance of Western sanctions on Russian oil, stressing that these measures should not be lifted to maintain pressure on Moscow during the negotiations.