Kremlin Agrees to Restart Ukraine Peace Talks with Washington and Kyiv

The war in Ukraine has persisted for more than four and a half years, but diplomatic efforts are now accelerating as major powers seek a resolution. On Wednesday, the Kremlin announced that Russia has agreed in principle to resume three-way negotiations with the United States and Ukraine.

Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed the decision following a three-hour meeting in St. Petersburg between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Ushakov stated that the talks are scheduled to begin after November 10. This development potentially sets the stage for the first such trilateral discussions since February. The primary focus will be on constructing a security framework for both nations once the conflict concludes.

U.S. President Donald Trump is actively urging Kyiv to finalize a deal that halts the fighting. In a statement issued late Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed support for Washington's push to restart talks quickly. He noted that the agenda is clear: to end the war and prepare for a meeting at the leaders' level. Zelenskyy acknowledged that Russia has previously expressed readiness to meet but observed that past plans were often canceled. He added, "We’ll see what happens this time."

Contextualizing the current momentum, Ushakov noted that proposals emerging from a recent meeting in Oslo contained little real value for resolving the crisis. However, he later clarified on state television that while Moscow is not fully satisfied, the Oslo discussions represent a step in the right direction. During the St. Petersburg meeting, Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who joined via video, proposed a technical-level meeting for the three countries. They also discussed a postwar economic plan and European security matters.

In televised remarks, Putin indicated a willingness to consider restoring economic ties with the United States. He stated that Moscow is prepared to use its relationship with Iran to help bring peace and to discuss the U.S.-led conflict there. Ushakov added that large-scale joint economic projects were discussed in detail with Witkoff, with some nearing the implementation stage. In a related development, Russia released a retired American teacher, Stephen Hubbard, who had been imprisoned on mercenary charges. Witkoff described this as a goodwill gesture following Trump's request to Putin.

Following his return from Russia, Witkoff met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo. Støre suggested that a new diplomatic phase may have begun, with talks likely occurring in mid-November. When asked if Ukraine could accept a border along the current front line, Støre said it is unlikely to be formally accepted, though Kyiv may eventually live with it. In the White House on Tuesday, Trump increased pressure on Zelenskyy, stating that the U.S. wants a deal and has received little in return for its support.

Amid these diplomatic shifts, Russian military activity continues. Overnight attacks on Kyiv killed three people and wounded twelve, while strikes near Kharkiv resulted in two more deaths and eleven injuries. Ukrainian officials reported that energy facilities were targeted in several cities. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 373 Ukrainian drones over various regions, including the Crimean Peninsula and the Black Sea. Zelenskyy noted that Kyiv is once again receiving early warnings about incoming missiles from its partners, a sign of renewed coordination.