US Proposes Technical Talks to Ukraine and Russia as Merz Visits Kyiv
The US proposed holding a trilateral technical meeting with Ukraine and Russia in late October. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on October 4 at a briefing with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who arrived in Kyiv with heads of German defense companies. Merz also warned of new Russian hybrid attacks and promised to continue supporting Ukraine.
Sources
· 5США предложили провести технические переговоры Украины и России в конце октября
1Канцлер ФРГ Мерц прибыл в Киев с главами оборонных компаний
2Мерц предупредил о новых гибридных атаках России и подтвердил поддержку Украины
3Зеленский: спецпредставители США посетят Киев и Москву в ближайшие дни
4Канцлер ФРГ Мерц ищет дополнительные системы ПВО для Украины
5Key points
- The US proposed holding a trilateral technical meeting involving Ukraine and Russia in late October; Kyiv supports the initiative and is waiting for Moscow's response.
- Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on October 4 for an unannounced visit, accompanied by heads of German defense companies, and promised further support for Ukraine ahead of its fifth winter of war.
- The German chancellor warned that Germany will face new hybrid attacks from Russia and confirmed continued support for Ukraine.
- The US previously sent special representatives to Kyiv and Moscow, and Merz held talks on increasing supplies of air defense systems to Ukraine.
- The venue for the proposed meeting has not been determined; the UAE or another country proposed by the US is being considered.
What happened
The US proposed holding a trilateral technical meeting involving Ukraine and Russia in late October. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on October 4 at a joint briefing with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv. Kyiv supports the initiative and is awaiting Moscow's response.
Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on the morning of October 4 for an unannounced visit, accompanied by heads of German defense companies. This is his first visit to Ukraine since May 2025. After arriving, he promised further support for Ukraine ahead of its fifth winter of war, pointing to Russian strikes on cities and energy infrastructure.
What changed
On September 29, Merz said that Berlin was holding intensive consultations with European partners to strengthen support for Ukraine's air defense, and called air defense Ukraine's weakest point. On October 4, he arrived in Kyiv with heads of German defense companies.
What to watch
If Moscow agrees, a trilateral technical meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and the US could take place in late October. The venue has not been determined; the UAE or another country proposed by the US is being considered.
Previously
- On September 3, Zelenskyy said that two US special representatives told him they would visit Kyiv and travel to Moscow.
- On September 29, Merz announced talks on increasing supplies of air defense systems to Ukraine.
What's Next
The US-proposed trilateral technical meeting between Ukraine and Russia is scheduled for late October; Kyiv supports it and is awaiting Moscow's response, and the venue has not been determined.