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Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskiy said any discussion of territory must be reserved for leaders, calling it a red line in efforts to end the war with Russia.

In a written post on his social media account about a joint "Single Broadcast" by Ukrainian television channels, Zelenskiy said Ukraine is ready for three-way technical talks with the United States and Russia and expects concrete results.

Readiness for three-way talks

Zelenskiy addressed work to restart three-way talks involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine in November. "We are ready for three-way talks of technical groups, which must come out with a concrete result," Zelenskiy said.

Zelenskiy said the three-way negotiations have to produce results, and that securing an energy ceasefire would itself be a significant step toward ending the war.

Security guarantees and territory

Zelenskiy said Ukraine needs strong security guarantees. "The limiting of our armed forces and Ukraine's neutrality are not open to discussion. The territory issue is a red line that can only be discussed at the leaders' level," Zelenskiy said.

Zelenskiy said proposals on a land swap had been raised by the United States "for a long time." "First of all, everyone must understand that we are not trading anything for anything. We are ready to discuss. If the issue is the territory question, it should be discussed at the leaders' level. Other issues should be discussed at the technical groups' level. So all of this can be discussed in November," Zelenskiy said.

Sanctions and a possible leaders' meeting

Zelenskiy argued that sanctions on Russia should not be lifted, and said Ukraine must be in a strong position if a three-way meeting takes place with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Because then, as Mr. Trump also noted, we really will not have many cards left in the deck in our hands," Zelenskiy said.

Temporary ceasefire in Oleshky

Zelenskiy also assessed the decision to declare a temporary ceasefire starting on October 27 so that humanitarian aid can reach residents of Oleshky, a city in Ukraine's Kherson region that Russia has annexed unlawfully. Zelenskiy said the temporary ceasefire was decided on the proposal of the United States.

"It will last a few days. The humanitarian aid teams must reach there: the Americans, us, the Russians," Zelenskiy said.

Zelenskiy said the Russian army must clear mines from roads in the area. "Russia will definitely do everything it can to clear the mines from the roads so that these people go toward Russia and stay there. They will not agree to just let people go. Part of the people will somehow be evacuated to Ukrainian territory under our control. What matters is that the blockade is lifted so that people can live," Zelenskiy said.

Key takeaways

• Zelenskiy called the territory question a red line that only leaders can discuss, while other issues should go to technical groups.
• Ukraine is ready for three-way technical talks with the United States and Russia in November and expects a concrete result.
• Zelenskiy said an energy ceasefire would be an important step toward ending the war and rejected limits on Ukraine's armed forces or neutrality.
• A temporary ceasefire starting on October 27, proposed by the United States, is to allow humanitarian aid into Oleshky in the Kherson region.