Kremlin Greenlights New Ukraine Peace Talks With US and Kyiv

Vladimir Putin has agreed to resume three-way negotiations with the United States and Ukraine, a move that could lead to the first high-level talks since February. The decision was announced by Kremlin official Yuri Ushakov following a meeting in St. Petersburg between the Russian leader and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. This development marks a significant step in the peace process after months of stalled diplomatic efforts.

The agreement to restart the talks is described as a principled consent to begin discussions after November 10. Ushakov stated that the primary focus of these negotiations will be building a security framework for both Russia and Ukraine once the conflict concludes. This timing coincides with President Donald Trump's ongoing push to secure a deal that halts the fighting in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed support for the rapid restart of these conversations. In an audio message released late Wednesday, he noted that the goal is to end the war and prepare for a meeting between the top leaders. He acknowledged that Russia has previously indicated readiness to meet in various formats, though earlier plans had been canceled. He added that observers will now watch to see how this new round of talks unfolds.

The diplomatic push follows a three-hour meeting at the Constantine Palace in St. Petersburg. Attendees included Witkoff, Ushakov, and Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Trump, also participated via video link. According to a U.S. official familiar with the private discussions, Witkoff and Kushner proposed a technical-level meeting involving all three nations and shared updates from their recent talks with Zelenskyy in Oslo.

During the St. Petersburg session, the U.S. representatives also discussed postwar economic plans and European security structures. Ushakov noted that the proposals emerging from the previous Oslo meeting contained limited value for resolving the crisis. However, he later clarified on state television that while Moscow is not fully satisfied with those Oslo proposals, it views them as a step in the right direction. This nuanced stance suggests a willingness to continue the dialogue despite lingering disagreements.

In his televised remarks, Putin indicated openness to restoring economic ties with the United States. He also mentioned the possibility of discussing the U.S.-led conflict with Iran, noting that Russia is ready to use its relationship with Tehran to help bring about peace. Ushakov added that large-scale joint economic projects between the two nations were discussed in detail, with some initiatives nearing the implementation stage. This economic angle adds a new dimension to the ongoing peace efforts.

In a related gesture of goodwill, Russia released a retired American teacher who had been imprisoned on mercenary charges. Witkoff indicated that this release appeared to be a response to President Trump's request to free Stephen Hubbard. The same day, Putin met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in St. Petersburg. The two leaders discussed a potential tripartite meeting involving Russian, Chinese, and U.S. leaders at an upcoming economic summit in China, with Beijing already preparing for the event.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre suggested that the region may be entering a new phase where Russia is seeking diplomatic opportunities. He spoke with Witkoff at the airport in Oslo after the envoy returned from Russia. Støre predicted the new talks would likely occur in mid-November. He also addressed the sensitive issue of borders, suggesting that while Ukraine might not formally accept the current front line as a permanent border, it could potentially live with that arrangement.

President Trump has intensified pressure on Zelenskyy to reach an agreement, citing the significant resources the U.S. has provided to Ukraine. In remarks from the Oval Office, Trump stated that the U.S. has received little in return except for grief and monetary loss. He warned that failure to make a deal could result in negative consequences. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy reported that Kyiv is again receiving early warnings about incoming Russian missiles, a development that comes amid fears of shifting U.S. support.

Despite the diplomatic progress, the conflict continues on the ground. Russian attacks overnight in Kyiv resulted in three deaths and twelve injuries, with ten residential buildings damaged. Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi reported that energy facilities in Kyiv and three other cities were targeted. In Kharkiv, two people died and eleven were wounded in drone strikes on a residential area. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its forces hit a warehouse, a substation, and a bulk carrier near Odesa, while also intercepting hundreds of Ukrainian drones over various regions and the Black Sea.