Zelensky Floats Possible Trump–Putin Meeting in the US During December G20 Summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that a trilateral meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin could take place in the United States during the G20 summit in Miami this December — though he stressed that neither Moscow nor Washington has confirmed it yet.

What Zelensky Said

Speaking to reporters in a WhatsApp media chat on Saturday, Zelensky said Ukraine's negotiating track with the United States remains active and that American officials have signaled a US–Ukraine meeting could happen as soon as next week.

"The meeting could then take place in the United States during the G20 summit. But there has been no confirmation yet from either Russia or the United States," Zelensky said. "It could also be held in a European country."

Zelensky added that Washington has consistently floated the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia as alternative venues for a trilateral session. He said Ukraine is "ready to negotiate anywhere, and we're ready for any format: three-way, two-way, four-way, five-plus — it doesn't matter. What matters is peace."

The Sanctions Backdrop

The remarks come one day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving key sanctions and tariffs on Russia under the Graham Act — measures that were due to take effect next week and included penalties on countries buying Russian oil and gas.

Zelensky criticized the waiver, warning it would embolden Putin and prolong the war. The White House says Trump has yet to announce a final decision on the matter, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday the president wants up to 60 days to assess the economic impact of the sanctions before deciding.

"We're counting on them to put more pressure on Putin, not on us. Otherwise, it's simply unfair," Zelensky said of the US negotiating position.

Why It Matters

The G20 — which includes the US and Russia but not Ukraine — is due to hold its summit in Miami in December. A trilateral meeting on American soil would be the most significant face-to-face diplomacy of the more than four-year-old war, and Zelensky also said Europe needs its own parallel track for talks with Moscow.

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Sources

• Reuters: "Zelenskiy hopes for meeting with US and Russia during G20 summit" (Oct 17, 2026)
• ANI via Tribune India: "Zelenskyy hints at potential meeting with Putin in US during G20 summit as Trump waives Russian oil tariffs" (Oct 18, 2026)
• The HinduBusinessLine: same ANI report (Oct 18, 2026)
• The Economic Times: same ANI report (Oct 18, 2026)
• Reuters: "Rubio says Trump to take up to 60 days to weigh Russia sanctions" (Oct 18, 2026)