Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russia has indicated its readiness to negotiate a possible settlement to the war in Ukraine.
Zelensky made the disclosure after US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Moscow and Kyiv over the weekend as Washington intensified efforts to break the diplomatic deadlock surrounding the conflict.
The meetings represent the latest attempt by the administration of US President Donald Trump to revive negotiations aimed at bringing an end to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022 and has developed into the deadliest conflict in Europe since the Second World War.
According to Zelensky, the US representatives told him that Russian officials were prepared to return to negotiations.
“The Russians are ready to negotiate,” Zelensky told US news outlet Axios, describing the message conveyed to him by the American envoys.
The Ukrainian president said Washington was particularly focused on reducing tensions before the onset of another harsh winter, amid concerns that Russia could again intensify attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russian forces have repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s electricity and energy infrastructure, particularly during the winter months. Previous attacks have left millions of Ukrainians without reliable electricity, heating and other essential services during periods of extremely cold weather.
Zelensky warned that Moscow could seek to use the winter conditions as a strategic advantage by increasing pressure on Ukraine’s population and infrastructure.
“Russia really thinks that this winter can help them to break us,” he said.
The Ukrainian president, however, suggested that the Trump administration could play an important role in preventing such an escalation by exerting pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky said Putin may be reluctant to take actions that would seriously damage his relationship with Trump, arguing that the Russian leader does not want to “upset” the US president.
The comments come as Washington explores ways to restart substantive peace negotiations after months of diplomatic uncertainty.
Witkoff reportedly held discussions with Russian officials in Moscow, while he and Kushner also engaged with Ukrainian leadership in Kyiv. The US envoys have subsequently pointed to signs of progress and raised the possibility of reviving three-way negotiations involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine.
However, significant disagreements remain between Moscow and Kyiv over the terms of any potential settlement.
Ukraine has consistently insisted on the need for meaningful security guarantees and a settlement that protects its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Russia has maintained demands concerning territory, security arrangements and Ukraine’s future relationship with Western institutions.
The proposed return to three-way talks could therefore face considerable challenges, particularly over the territories currently occupied by Russian forces and the conditions required for a lasting ceasefire.
Despite the obstacles, Zelensky’s comments suggest that diplomatic channels remain open and that Washington is seeking to move the parties closer to direct negotiations.
