Paramedics give first aid to an injured resident following Russian aerial guided bomb strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo)
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine is ready for the next round of peace talks with Russia but is waiting for Washington and Moscow to decide where and when negotiations will take place.
Speaking to journalists in comments released Sunday, Zelenskyy said Kyiv supports a trilateral meeting involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia to explore ways to end Moscow’s invasion, now in its fifth year.
“We are waiting for a response from the Americans,” Zelenskyy said. “Either they will change the country where we meet, or the Russians must confirm the U.S.”
“We are not blocking any of these initiatives. We want a trilateral meeting to take place,” he added.
U.S.-Backed Talks Face Delays
The United States had proposed hosting the next round of negotiations between American, Ukrainian, and Russian representatives.
The talks would include U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
However, Zelenskyy said Moscow has so far declined to send a delegation for the proposed meeting.
Diplomatic efforts have also slowed as international attention shifts to the escalating conflict involving Iran. The regional war, which erupted on Feb. 28 following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, has dominated global headlines and complicated diplomatic priorities.
Ukraine Warns of Defense Supply Risks
Zelenskyy warned that the Middle East conflict could have serious consequences for Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
He said there is a “very high” risk that the war could drain global air-defense stockpiles, which Ukraine relies on to counter Russian missile attacks.
The Ukrainian leader said he discussed the issue with Emmanuel Macron during a meeting in Paris on Friday.
According to Zelenskyy, the two leaders examined whether Europe’s SAMP/T air defense system could serve as an alternative to U.S.-made Patriot missile batteries.
Ukraine, he said, would be willing to test any viable alternative.
Disagreement Over Drone Technology
Zelenskyy also pushed back against comments by Donald Trump suggesting that the United States does not need Ukraine’s drone defense expertise.
In a recent radio interview, Trump said Washington did not require help from Kyiv in that area.
Zelenskyy responded by saying U.S. institutions had repeatedly approached Ukraine seeking technical assistance for defense-related needs.
“All our institutions received these requests, and we responded to them,” he said.
Proposed Defense Deal Remains Unclear
Zelenskyy also revealed that Ukraine had proposed a major defense cooperation agreement with Washington last year.
The deal, valued between $35 billion and $50 billion, would have given the United States access to technology from roughly 200 Ukrainian firms working in drones, artificial intelligence, and electronic warfare.
Under the proposal, half of all production would have been reserved for Ukraine’s partners, primarily the United States.
Zelenskyy said American military officials showed strong interest in the plan, and that Trump had indicated support.
However, the agreement has yet to be signed.
“We received a message from them, and directly from the president as well, that they are interested,” Zelenskyy said. “We did not sign the document with President Trump. I do not have an answer as to why.”
