Zelenskyy calls Putin peace overture a possible 'political trick'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin's stated readiness for peace talks may be a "political trick" timed to avoid escalating tensions with Washington ahead of US midterms.

Speaking to Ukrainian broadcaster TSN, Zelenskyy said November trilateral talks would show whether Moscow's stance was genuine. He said Kyiv was ready to participate but insisted the talks must produce concrete results.

If a full settlement proved impossible, Zelenskyy proposed an energy ceasefire, maritime security agreements, grain shipment guarantees, an all-for-all prisoner exchange, or a direct leaders' meeting among Ukraine, the United States and Russia.

On territory, Zelenskyy described the issue as a "red line" that could only be addressed at leaders' level. He also rejected any restrictions on Ukraine's armed forces or a neutrality requirement.

Zelenskyy said he did not want Ukraine to enter a leaders-level meeting after sanctions on Moscow had been lifted, warning that losing sanctions, frozen assets and financing would leave Kyiv without leverage.

Anadolu Agency reported that Zelenskyy also addressed a localised ceasefire in Russian-controlled Oleshky proposed by the United States, saying the truce was set to begin on 27 October for several days to allow humanitarian access. He expressed concern that Russia would use demining operations to steer evacuees toward Russian territory rather than allow them to leave freely.