Zelenskyy hints at potential meeting with Putin in US during G20 summit as Trump waives Russian Oil tariffs

Kyiv [Ukraine], October 18 (ANI): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday said that a potential trilateral meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin could take place in the United States during the upcoming G20 Summit in December, adding that confirmation from Moscow and Washington was still awaited. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said the United States was actively involved in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, stressing that pressure should be increased on Moscow rather than Kyiv. He expressed readiness to participate in peace talks 'anywhere' and 'in any format', adding that the American side had indicated that a meeting could take place 'next week.' 'The American negotiating track will continue. We're counting on them to put more pressure on Putin, not on us. Otherwise, it's simply unfair. As for our meetings with the American side - we expect to meet and are ready to meet in Ukraine or in Europe. If they want to meet in America, let them invite us. We're 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 American side has given us a signal that our meeting with them can happen next week,' he stated. Zelenskyy added that Washington had also proposed a trilateral meeting involving Russia and Ukraine, with potential venues including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, another European country or the United States during the upcoming G20 Summit. He said that confirmation from Russia or the US is impending. 'Regarding a meeting with Putin, the United States is working on this. They have a proposal for a trilateral meeting. This meeting can take place in one of the Middle Eastern countries. The United States has always mentioned the UAE or Saudi Arabia. Another possibility is for the meeting to take place in the United States during the G20 summit. But there has been no confirmation yet from Russia or from the United States. The meeting could also take place in one of the European countries. I know that the Europeans are starting contacts about this. We'll see how things turn out a little later,' he noted. Furthermore, Zelenskyy suggested that European countries pursue their own path for negotiations with Russia. On that note, he expressed willingness to hold talks with Turkish President Erdogan about sea and food security among representatives of Middle Eastern countries. 'And, of course, in my view, Europeans need to have their own infrastructure and their own track for negotiations with Russia. We need to pursue every possible avenue to stop the war. We'll also speak separately with Trkiye. I plan to talk separately with President Erdoan about the sea and food security, and with representatives of Middle Eastern countries,' the Ukrainian President added. In a separate post, Zelenskyy expressed disappointment over US President Donald Trump's decision to waive additional tariffs of 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil as part of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Trump signed an Executive Order on Friday implementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, while simultaneously waiving several sanctions and additional duties under the legislation. Reflecting on the recently announced diesel deal between the US and Russia, the Ukrainian leader asserted that the sanctions relief will unfortunately continue. He claimed that Trump's latest decisions, relieving pressure from Russia amid the ongoing conflict, are a major defeat to late Senator Lindsey Graham, who Zelenskyy highlighted 'pushed for as much assistance to Ukraine as possible.' 'Sanctions relief will continue. I think the diesel deal and the move regarding the Lindsey Graham Act are not the end of it. Unfortunately. It's unfortunate because we all had great respect for Lindsey. He devoted his life to America. We had an excellent relationship with him. And shortly before the tragedy, Lindsey was in Ukraine. He always supported us very strongly and pushed for as much assistance to Ukraine as possible,' he wrote. Calling Trump's decision to undo the bill, which garnered bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats alike, Zelenskyy said, affirmed that it will not stop the war, but instead fuel Russian satisfaction. 'It's difficult without him, I'll be honest. I want to thank both Democrats and Republicans who supported his bill. That was a major victory: this truly bipartisan support. And now, the decision to undo all of this, to block all of it, seems wrong to me. And it definitely helps only the Russians. It only fuels their satisfaction and their desire to keep killing people. This certainly does not stop the war,' the Ukrainian leader noted. Trump has waived several sanctions related to Russian fuel sales that were to take effect under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, a month after signing the Bill. The legislation would have authorised tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods imported into the United States from the five largest importers of Russian-origin crude oil or natural gas, including India and China. The decision comes amid a reported diesel supply agreement with Russia, as fuel prices in the United States remain a concern ahead of the November midterm elections. Trump invoked Section 115 of the Graham Act, which authorises the President to waive the application of sanctions provisions against foreign persons, restrictions on persons and duties imposed under the law. 'I have submitted to Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver is in the national interests of the United States and a report explaining the basis for the certification, consistent with section 115(b) of the Graham Act,' Trump said in the order. He also waived the application of duties under Sections 112 and 113 of the Act. These provisions authorised the President to increase duties on goods imported into the United States from Russia to as much as 500 per cent ad valorem, or relative to the value of the goods. They also provided for duties of up to 100 per cent ad valorem on goods from the five largest importers of Russian-origin crude oil or natural gas. The development follows Trump's announcement of a diesel supply agreement with Russia, under which he said Moscow would immediately supply more than 3,00,000 tonnes of diesel fuel, followed by another 5,00,000 tonnes during November and one million tonnes immediately thereafter. Simultaneously, Trump said he wanted the Russia-Ukraine war to end, claiming that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wanted an end to the conflict. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, 'Well, you know, I know the details, okay? And at some point, I'll release the details. But I don't care anything except for one. I want that war ended. 25,000 soldiers on average a month are being killed. Last month, it was 32,000 soldiers. And I think the two leaders, I deal with both of them. I think they want that war ended, too, and I think it's going to end. That's all I care about. I want that war to end.'