Russian demands that any direct meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy occur in Moscow after expert-level preparatory work remain the central barrier to a summit. Kremlin statements in late September 2026 reiterated this position even as U.S. officials proposed technical trilateral talks in the UAE and floated a possible leaders' gathering at the December G20 summit in Miami. President Vladimir Putin has indicated all settlement proposals stay under consideration but stressed Moscow must first evaluate its interests following recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory. Zelenskyy has expressed readiness for a trilateral format or energy-related ceasefire measures, while both sides continue military operations that complicate diplomatic momentum. These entrenched venue and precondition disputes, alongside ongoing U.S. mediation efforts, shape trader assessments of near-term prospects.