Ukraine backs October talks as energy and Black Sea shipping face attacks

Last winter, attacks on Ukraine’s energy system left people without electricity and heating for days as temperatures fell to minus 20C. Now, with Moscow saying it is targeting the sector again as winter approaches, Kyiv is backing a fresh attempt at talks. Ukraine is ready to meet the United States and Russia this month, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday, according to Al Jazeera.

Speaking in Kyiv alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on October 4, Zelenskyy said Ukraine supported moving quickly to restart negotiations aimed at ending a war that has lasted more than four and a half years. Washington is seeking technical-level discussions—talks focused on detailed issues—by the end of October, he said. The proposal puts a possible meeting on the calendar, but neither its location nor an agreed date was announced.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to support the US timetable and could meet in the UAE or another country proposed by Washington.

A diplomatic opening, with attacks continuing

The United Arab Emirates, which has hosted earlier negotiations, is one possible venue. Zelenskyy said Kyiv would also accept another location suggested by the United States. He added that Washington had contacted Moscow about the plan. The Kremlin said last month that it was not ruling out three-way talks in October, leaving the prospect open without confirming a meeting.

The push follows a pause in US efforts to arrange a ceasefire after Washington launched its war on Iran. Zelenskyy’s account points to renewed American involvement in trying to bring the parties together. For now, the stated aim is to resume discussions; the source reported no agreement to stop fighting or halt attacks while preparations proceed.

Both Russia and Ukraine have said they intend to increase long-range attacks on military and related targets, even as they signal openness to negotiations. Moscow has identified Ukraine’s energy sector as a target ahead of winter. The earlier outages show the stakes for people dependent on power and heating, with diplomatic efforts taking place alongside plans for further strikes.

Zelenskyy accused Russia of hitting civilian infrastructure, including data centres and mobile network facilities. He said he was struck by Moscow’s tactics and its determination to escalate the conflict daily. Those allegations came as he set out Ukraine’s willingness to return to negotiations, underscoring the gap between the diplomatic opening and the continuing attacks.

India widens its mediation effort

India also said on Sunday that it wanted a larger role in efforts to end the conflict. Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, speaking at the Munich Security Conference in New Delhi, said Indian involvement had grown in recent months, particularly around Black Sea shipping. Mines and attacks on commercial vessels have plagued those waters.

Jaishankar said India’s discussions now extended to grain and energy exports, as well as possible arrangements to refrain from attacks. The next steps to watch are whether Washington’s proposed October talks secure a date and venue, and whether the wider mediation efforts advance discussions on shipping, exports and limits on attacks.