Ukrainian presidential advisor Kyrylo Budanov said on Thursday that negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow could resume in September, potentially with U.S. participation, as Ukraine seeks to restart talks that have remained stalled since early this year.
Budanov, speaking to Ukrainian media outlet Novyny Live, indicated that the upcoming talks would require American involvement, stating that Ukraine cannot proceed without Washington's support. The advisor did not confirm whether the negotiations would be direct between Ukrainian and Russian delegations or mediated by the U.S.
The last round of trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. took place in February, but discussions have since been limited to separate meetings between Kyiv and Washington. The impasse followed Ukraine's rejection of Russian demands for territorial concessions, while U.S. focus shifted amid rising tensions with Iran.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has framed the end of the northern hemisphere summer as a critical window for U.S. mediation. Kyiv has drafted a one-page proposal document, developed alongside American and European authorities, which it plans to present to Moscow as a basis for renewed discussions.
The potential September talks come after months of limited diplomatic engagement between the warring parties, with no direct negotiations held since February. Budanov's remarks follow earlier reports citing a mid-September timeline, though no official date has been confirmed by either side.
