Zelenskyy's top aide says Ukraine-Russia talks may be possible in September

Talks between Ukrainian and Russian teams could be held in September and include US representatives, the Ukrainian president's chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, said on Thursday.

Budanov said Ukraine was aiming to revive the talks, with further developments likely next month. ​The US-led peace talks stalled this year, as Ukraine refused Russian demands to ​cede more territory and Washington became ​increasingly preoccupied with the conflict with Iran.

"I'm hoping for that, yes, and American ones too, of course. ​We can't do without them," Budanov told ​Ukrainian media Novyny Live, when asked whether this meant direct ‌talks between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said recently that Ukraine saw a window of opportunity for US mediation lasting until the end of next summer and has drafted a page of ideas with US and European officials to present to Moscow.

The last round of trilateral Ukraine-Russia talks involving US representatives took place in February. Ukrainian and Russian representatives have had only ​separate talks with the US team since then.

(Cover: Kyrylo Budanov, the Ukrainian president's chief ‌of staff, delivers a speech during the Kyiv Security Forum in Kyiv, Ukraine, April 23, 2026 /VCG)