Zelensky Says No Three-Way Peace Talks Until Russian Elections, Warns Moscow Escalates Attacks During Diplomacy

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that Kyiv and Washington are preparing for possible three-way peace talks with Russia, but warned that Moscow typically intensifies attacks whenever diplomatic efforts gain momentum. Zelensky made the remarks at a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Calgary following bilateral talks and the signing of a 100-Year Partnership Declaration between Canada and Ukraine.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The Ukrainian leader said he did not expect substantial negotiations during Russia’s upcoming elections but anticipated further discussions with the US in New York later this month. “At the end of September, we will have an opportunity, I think, to meet with the American team in New York,” Zelensky said. His advisers and national security officials remain in daily contact with their US counterparts over how a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, Russia and the US could work and what concrete results it might produce. Zelensky cautioned, however, that previous diplomatic efforts had repeatedly been followed by an escalation in Russian attacks. “As soon as they hear that we are holding some negotiations in the EU, in Europe, with nations, with the Americans, they always try to intensify attacks against us, simply to break any negotiations, to break any dialogue,” Zelensky said. Despite that pattern, the Ukrainian leader stressed that Kyiv would continue pursuing a diplomatic path. Other Topics of Interest What Putin Hopes to Gain From BRICS in India – and Why He May Not Get It Putin wants BRICS to strengthen Russia’s global position, but India and other members are resisting Moscow’s push for a united anti-Western bloc. “We believe in peace, and we will move in this direction. There is only one way to stop this war. There is no other way,” Zelensky concluded. Grain and energy could be first step Zelensky said food exports and energy infrastructure were among the issues being discussed as possible first steps toward reducing the intensity of the war. Ukraine has discussed Black Sea food security in recent months with Egypt, India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the US. “Everyone says that blocking Ukrainian agricultural products is a huge challenge not only for Ukraine or for the Russians, but for the whole world,” Zelensky said, stressing the importance of food security. Carney backed the idea of a limited ceasefire covering grain shipments and energy infrastructure, noting that disruptions to Ukrainian exports affect countries across Africa and the Middle East while attacks on energy facilities put pressure on global markets. The US could play a decisive role in securing such an arrangement, according to Carney, who also credited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and other leaders with advancing similar proposals. “Canada is ready to support all of these ideas,” Carney said. Canada prepares more pressure on Russia The Canadian leader also made clear that Ottawa would not wait for negotiations before increasing pressure on Moscow. Canada is preparing a new sanctions package targeting supplies used in Russian ballistic missiles, while tightening restrictions on Moscow’s shadow fleet and financial services. “We will not sit and wait for the results,” Carney said, pledging continued pressure on Russia and those helping sustain its war. Canada joins FREYJA Air defense also featured prominently in the talks, with Zelensky identifying Russian ballistic missile strikes as one of Ukraine’s most urgent threats. Canada will join FREYJA, Ukraine’s pan-European anti-ballistic missile program aimed at developing lower-cost interceptors that can be produced in large numbers to counter Russian ballistic missiles. Zelensky said Ukraine hopes to have the first system by the end of this year after discussions with defense companies in Norway and now with Canada. Carney stressed that the effort would move far faster than traditional air-defense development programs. “This effort is measured in months, not decades,” Carney said. Until new systems become available, Ukraine remains heavily dependent on US-made Patriot systems and interceptors. “We trust them because they support us. These are not just words. This is not about negotiations, this is about results,” Zelensky said. Asked about Kyiv’s broader trust in Washington as peace efforts continue, Zelensky acknowledged the complexities surrounding negotiations. “Of course we trust the Americans,” he said. “But negotiations are a difficult challenge. There are many different interests intertwined, so we trust and verify.” Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.