Zelensky says US proposed three-way summit, possibly at G20

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that the United States is pushing for a three-way summit with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine.

Zelensky said on social media Sunday (local time) that "the US is pursuing talks with Putin and has proposed a trilateral meeting," adding that it could be held in a Middle Eastern country. "The US has consistently mentioned the UAE or Saudi Arabia as possible venues," he said.

He added that the meeting could also take place in the United States during the G20 summit in December, or in a European country. However, he noted that "no confirmation has come from either Russia or the United States yet."

Zelensky has proposed direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on multiple occasions, but Russia has in effect rejected those overtures each time.

The three-way summit proposal comes amid escalating tensions between the two sides over Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil facilities.

Earlier, President Donald Trump announced a "diesel deal" that would allow sanctioned Russian diesel to flow into global markets, and unilaterally declared an energy truce.

Ukraine pushed back against the move and resumed attacks on Russian oil facilities, further straining relations between the two countries.