Zelenskyy: “Possibility of U.S.-Russia-Ukraine trilateral talks at December G20” ... Calls Starlink outage a “planned operation”

[Financial News] Donald Trump’s administration has made a succession of moves seen as pro-Russian, heightening tensions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the U.S.-led framework for negotiations to end the war remains valid and that a trilateral summit involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine could be held in connection with the Group of 20 (G20) summit this December. At the same time, he sharply criticized restrictions on SpaceX’s Starlink (Starshield) communications in Ukraine’s war zone, calling them a “planned operation” to squeeze Ukraine.

According to the Kyiv Independent and other foreign media on the 17th (local time), Zelenskyy said during an online exchange with the press that “the U.S.-led negotiating framework remains in place,” in response to a question about whether the United States would continue to serve as a venue for peace negotiations. He also disclosed that the negotiating teams had been in contact behind the scenes.
Zelenskyy said that the Ukrainian negotiating team, led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, held substantive talks the previous day with Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, and that further talks could take place next week. He added that the U.S. side had prepared a proposal for a trilateral summit and was considering possible venues. Likely options being discussed include the G20 summit in Miami, Florida, this December, countries in the Middle East such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, or a European country.
Zelenskyy stressed that “we have not yet received a final answer from either the United States or Russia,” but added, “I support anything that could stop Putin (the Russian president), even through the format of an energy ceasefire, and Ukraine is ready to talk anytime, anywhere.” Targeting U.S. measures to ease sanctions on Russia, including exemptions under the “Graham sanctions law,” he said, “The United States should be putting more pressure on Putin, not us,” and urged European countries to establish their own channels for dialogue with Russia as well.

Zelenskyy continued to make forceful allegations about the controversy over speed restrictions on Starlink and Starshield, which have dealt a severe blow to Ukraine’s military capabilities. At present, connections on the Ukrainian front are cut off when speeds exceed 161 km/h (100 mph), paralyzing high-speed interceptor-drone operations intended to stop Russian drones.
He flatly rejected SpaceX’s explanation that the issue was a “technical glitch.” Zelenskyy said, “To find out whether this was simply a technical issue or an operation intended to disable us, we sent vehicles equipped with Starlink terminals into the territory of European Union (EU) member states and tested them ourselves.” He added, “Starlink worked normally even when those vehicles were traveling at speeds of at least 180 km/h. We have secured the relevant evidence and records.” In other words, he claims the service is being deliberately cut off only on the Ukrainian battlefield.
The Telegraph of the U.K. and other foreign media previously reported that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk proposed the speed restriction, President Trump agreed, and the U.S. Department of Defense took action. But at the White House the previous day, Trump categorically denied allegations of White House involvement, saying, “I don’t think I did it, and I don’t think Musk did either. Nothing has changed.”
[email protected] Park Ji-hyun Reporter