Kremlin Confirms Resumption of Ukraine Peace Talks with US and Kyiv

Moscow has agreed to restart tripartite peace negotiations with Washington and Kyiv, a Kremlin official announced on Wednesday. This development sets the stage for the first high-level talks since February, with the sessions expected to begin after November 10. The agreement was reached following a three-hour meeting in St. Petersburg between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, stated that the Russian leader agreed to the talks 'in principle.' The primary focus of these discussions will be establishing a security framework for both nations once the conflict concludes. Ushakov noted that while Moscow is not fully satisfied with recent proposals, it views them as a step in the right direction. The U.S. side, represented by Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, proposed a technical-level meeting and shared updates on their prior consultations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy expressed support for the swift resumption of dialogue, describing the agenda as clear: to end the war and prepare for a potential meeting between the heads of state. In an audio message released late Wednesday, the Ukrainian leader acknowledged that Russia had previously indicated readiness to meet in various formats before previous plans were canceled. He added, 'We’ll see what happens this time,' just as a missile alert sounded over Kyiv, accompanied by loud explosions in the capital.

The diplomatic push comes as President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Kyiv to reach a deal. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump stated that the U.S. has provided substantial aid to Ukraine but has received little in return. He warned that failing to make a deal would result in a 'very bad thing.' This pressure follows Witkoff’s meetings in Oslo the day prior, where he discussed proposals with Zelenskyy and European leaders. Ushakov later criticized those Oslo proposals, claiming they contained little of real value for resolving the crisis.

Beyond the war, the St. Petersburg meeting addressed broader geopolitical issues. Putin indicated he is open to discussing the restoration of economic ties with the U.S. and is prepared to use Russia’s relationship with Iran to facilitate peace. Ushakov highlighted that large-scale joint economic projects were discussed in detail, with some nearing the implementation stage. Additionally, Putin and Witkoff explored the possibility of a trilateral meeting between the leaders of Russia, China, and the U.S. at an upcoming economic summit in China, with Beijing already preparing for the event.

In a gesture of goodwill, Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher imprisoned on mercenary charges, after Trump asked Putin to free him. Meanwhile, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre suggested that the region may have entered a new phase of diplomacy following Witkoff’s return to Oslo. Støre predicted the new talks would likely occur in mid-November and commented on the possibility of Ukraine accepting a border along the current front line, noting that while formal acceptance is unlikely, living with the arrangement is another matter.

The diplomatic moves occurred against a backdrop of continued hostilities. Overnight Russian strikes on Kyiv left three people dead and 12 wounded, with damage to ten residential buildings. Energy facilities in four cities were also targeted. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 373 Ukrainian drones over multiple regions and the Crimean Peninsula, while Ukrainian authorities confirmed five total deaths and at least 23 injuries from the latest attacks.