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Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskiy said the question of territory can only be discussed by the leaders of the countries at war, arguing that no one else has the authority to decide it. "No one else has the mandate on this matter," Zelenskiy told Ukrainian and international reporters in Kyiv.

Zelenskiy said three-way talks involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine are expected to resume in November, with preparations still under way, and that strong security guarantees are needed to end the war.

Preparations for three-way talks

According to Ukrainian media, Zelenskiy met domestic and foreign journalists in Kyiv and answered questions about the Russia-Ukraine war. He said three-way talks bringing together the United States, Russia and Ukraine are expected to restart in November and that preparations for them continue.

Zelenskiy said those negotiations should take place before a possible meeting between the leaders of the United States, China and Russia. "We would very much like our meeting in Abu Dhabi to take place before that date," he said.

Territory and security guarantees

Zelenskiy said Ukraine needs strong security guarantees for the war to end. He said Russia links the territory issue to ending the war, to security guarantees and to the possible format of those guarantees, because such guarantees cover states and the territory held by the parties.

"Our allies knew this was a red line for us, so they could not go into the details of the territory issue," Zelenskiy said. "This matter can be discussed only by the leaders of the warring states and only at their level. No one else has the mandate on this matter."

Zelenskiy said the United States had previously proposed a land swap to the parties. He asked what would happen to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and to some areas the US proposed resolving through such an exchange, and noted that the issue of Donbas also arose. He said a proposal to create a buffer or demilitarized zone on both sides of the line of contact was on the table and that Kyiv was ready to discuss it as a compromise.

Temporary ceasefire in Oleshky

Zelenskiy also addressed the temporary ceasefire launched from Oct. 27 for a humanitarian operation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region annexed by Russia. He said civilians needed to be evacuated from there.

"I know how the evacuation to Ukraine can technically be carried out, but I do not know how it will actually happen. We will wait a few days, then we will see the results," Zelenskiy said.

Starshield service restrictions

Zelenskiy also assessed restrictions experienced in recent days on the "Starshield" internet service provided to the Ukrainian military by the US-based SpaceX Starlink system. He noted that the service had returned to its previous speed.

"Of course, civilians died during the shutdown of Starlink/Starshield. Civilians lost their lives for various reasons, and this was one of them," Zelenskiy said. He added that Ukraine uses SpaceX's internet service for defensive purposes.

Key takeaways

• Zelenskiy said the territory question can be handled only by the leaders of the warring states at their own level.
• Three-way talks with the US and Russia are expected to resume in November, ahead of a possible US-China-Russia leaders' meeting.
• Zelenskiy said the US had earlier proposed a land swap and a buffer zone along the line of contact.
• A temporary ceasefire from Oct. 27 covers a humanitarian operation in Oleshky; Zelenskiy said civilians must be evacuated.