Zelensky's planned Brussels talks on peace deal thrown into doubt
Ukraine's president said a Brussels meeting with EU, US and NATO representatives on security guarantees was planned this week, but Kyiv said US changes have put it in doubt.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a security meeting involving the United States, European Union, NATO and Ukraine was planned for Brussels this week, but his office said on Monday it could not confirm the visit would go ahead because of changes in the American side's plans.
In an interview with Ukrainian broadcaster TSN, Zelensky said the meeting was expected on 27 or 28 October and would focus on security guarantees, the EU's involvement and ways to end the war, building on talks held last week in Oslo and during a US envoy's visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.
Zelensky said the EU would be represented "at presidential level" and NATO by its secretary-general, Mark Rutte, according to Romanian news agency G4Media. He said he could not confirm whether he would travel to Brussels himself.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn told Euronews on Monday that Kyiv could not confirm the Brussels meeting due to changes in US plans, though he did not directly confirm it had been cancelled. "We continue to work with allies and partners on talks and efforts to reach a just and lasting peace in Ukraine," he said. The European Commission said it currently had no such meeting on EU leaders' schedules, though it added plans could still change.
The uncertainty follows talks last week in Oslo between Zelensky and US special envoy Steve Witkoff, also attended by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. The United States later briefed its partners on the outcome of Witkoff's meeting with Putin in St Petersburg; a trilateral Ukraine-Russia-US meeting is expected to follow in November.
Zelensky said he wants partial truces with Russia to halt attacks at sea and on energy infrastructure, and said he is pushing for a direct meeting with Putin on ending the war, including territorial questions. Putin has said such a meeting depends on sufficient progress at lower levels of negotiation first.
Zelensky also said Ukraine would not accept a neutral status or restrictions on its armed forces, and that security guarantees for the country cannot be dictated by Russia.
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What we know
- 1 outlet · Mediafax Zelensky said a Brussels meeting involving the US, EU, NATO and Ukraine on security guarantees was planned for 27 or 28 October.
- 1 outlet · Novinky.cz Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said Kyiv could not confirm the visit due to changes in US plans.
- 1 outlet · G4Media The European Commission said it had no such meeting currently on EU leaders' schedules, but said plans could change.
- 1 outlet · Telegrafi The talks follow meetings in Oslo and a US envoy's visit to Putin in St Petersburg last week; a trilateral Ukraine-Russia-US meeting is expected in November.
Not yet confirmed
- Unconfirmed Whether the Brussels meeting, and Zelensky's own attendance, will go ahead at all this week.
How each fact is established: Verified checked by an ECTV editorOfficial stated by an official body2+ outlets reported independently by two or more news organisations1 outlet reported by a single news organisation so farUnconfirmed claimed or reportedHow we label facts
Why it matters for Europe
A Brussels meeting on security guarantees would mark a step up from earlier US briefings to European allies, directly shaping what protection Ukraine could expect after any peace deal with Russia. The uncertainty over whether it will happen underlines how fluid the US-led diplomatic track remains, even as Moscow and Kyiv edge towards a further round of trilateral talks in November.
Sources
Reported by 6 reports from 6 independent outlets in 5 countries.
- 24 Kanal: Зеленський анонсував зустріч з лідерами ЄС і НАТО у Брюсселі
- G4Media: Reuniune la Bruxelles între SUA, NATO şi UE asupra garanţiilor de securitate pentru Ucraina
- Novinky.cz: Zelenskyj možná do Bruselu nedorazí, změnily se plány USA
- Telegrafi: Anulohet vizita e planifikuar e Zelenskyt - për bisedime paqeje - në Bruksel
- Mediafax: Zelenski confirmă o întâlnire la Bruxelles cu reprezentanții UE, SUA și NATO pentru a discuta propunerea de pace cu Rusia
Source balance
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Questions and answers
- What was the Brussels meeting meant to discuss?
- Security guarantees for Ukraine, EU involvement and the proposed peace process, according to President Zelensky.
- Has the meeting been cancelled?
- Ukraine's presidential office has not confirmed it will go ahead, citing changes in US plans, though it has not explicitly confirmed a cancellation.
- When are wider peace talks expected?
- A trilateral meeting between Ukraine, Russia and the US is expected in November, following talks in Oslo and St Petersburg last week.
This article was written with AI assistance from 6 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.