Ukraine preparing for new round of peace talks in October

What Happened

Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Office and former head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, said Ukraine is preparing for a new round of trilateral peace talks in October. Speaking to Interfax-Ukraine on the sidelines of the Yalta European Strategy (YES) meeting in Kyiv, Budanov stated: 'We are preparing. For October.' He confirmed that a trilateral format is being discussed but declined to comment on potential venues. At the YES meeting, Budanov said Ukraine seeks to offer protection to countries that have supported it during the war, but stressed that the final decision will depend on the security architecture in Europe. He added that Ukraine 'will definitely repay everyone who helped it,' and urged European partners to determine 'Ukraine's mission and role in this security architecture,' warning that delay could leave no time for preparation.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The announcement signals that Kyiv is preparing for renewed diplomatic engagement in October, even as the war with Russia continues. If confirmed, trilateral talks could open a new channel amid ongoing military operations across Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kharkiv and the Kursk axis. Budanov's public linkage of peace talks to Europe's security architecture indicates Ukraine is seeking long-term security arrangements rather than a limited ceasefire, while also pressuring European partners to commit to Ukraine's role before a potential shift in the conflict's trajectory.

Watch For

Monitor for official confirmation of the October trilateral talks, including the date, venue, and named participants. Watch for statements from the Ukrainian President's Office or Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as reactions from the Russian government and any third-party mediator. Also track whether European partners respond to Budanov's call at or after the YES meeting by outlining a formal role for Ukraine in Europe's security architecture, and whether any preparatory diplomatic meetings are announced in the coming weeks.