Ukraine and US discuss postponing trilateral meeting with Russia

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine has held discussions with the United States regarding the possibility of changing the venue and timing of a planned trilateral meeting with Russia.

Zelenskyy noted in an interview with Rai Italia that the next trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the US and Russia had been planned for the period between 5 and 9 March. But then the war in the Middle East began on 28 February.

"We spoke with the American side, since they are the party inviting Ukraine and Russia to the meeting, about the possibility of changing the location and postponing the meeting for a while due to the war in the Middle East," he said.

The Ukrainian president also said he hopes that the prisoner exchange agreed upon during previous meetings would be confirmed.

On 3 March, Zelenskyy noted that the meeting with the US and Russia planned for early March had not been postponed due to the war in the Middle East and said he hopes it will take place in Europe.

However, he reiterated that, given the fighting in the Middle East, the meeting might not be held in Abu Dhabi as previously discussed.

The Kremlin has also said there is currently no clarity regarding the timing and location of the next round of negotiations between Russia, the US and Ukraine on a peace settlement.