Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov announced that a renewed round of peace negotiations in a trilateral format could take place in early October, focusing on de-escalating aerial strikes and securing Black Sea maritime shipping. Speaking on the sidelines of the annual Yalta European Strategy (YES 2026) forum in Kyiv, Budanov stated that direct diplomatic engagement involving Ukraine, the US, and European allies is essential to establishing a workable framework to reduce combat intensity.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “It is important that the United States and Europe take part in the negotiations,” Budanov emphasized, expressing confidence that the next negotiation track could convene next month. According to Budanov, an initial agreement would center on practical, step-by-step de-escalation measures rather than an immediate comprehensive political settlement. “The primary issue will be Black Sea maritime transit, reducing the volume of strikes against civilian objects, critical infrastructure, and similar priorities,” Budanov said. “Everyone exchanged views on this matter. The Russians are well aware of this and are also considering how to handle it. We are waiting.” The presidential chief of staff added that Ukraine and its partners must accelerate efforts to construct a durable post-war European security architecture, reiterating that Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) must constitute an indispensable component of that defense framework, as President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently advocated.