Kremlin Signals Willingness to Resume Ukraine Trilateral Talks After Stalled Negotiations
Moscow has agreed to restart direct negotiations with Washington and Kyiv in November, a move that could break the diplomatic deadlock following a year of minimal progress.
By Madison Lewis ·
Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine have entered a critical new phase as Moscow agreed to reopen trilateral talks with the United States and Kyiv. This development marks a potential turning point in a conflict that has persisted for more than four and a half years, with the Kremlin signaling readiness to engage in substantive discussions next month.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has given his approval, in principle, to restart negotiations after November 10. This decision was communicated by Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign affairs adviser, following a three-hour meeting in St. Petersburg between the Russian leader and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Ushakov stated that the primary objective of these upcoming discussions is to construct a post-conflict security framework for both Russia and Ukraine. The timing of this agreement coincides with intensified pressure from the White House to secure a rapid settlement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly supported Washington's push to accelerate the peace process. In an audio message released late Wednesday, Zelenskyy described the agenda as clear, aiming to end the war and prepare for a high-level summit. However, he expressed cautious optimism, noting that Russia has previously agreed to meet in various formats only for plans to be canceled. His remarks came shortly after a missile alert sounded over Kyiv, with loud explosions reported in the capital.
Despite this renewed momentum, significant hurdles remain. Ushakov noted that proposals emerging from recent meetings in Oslo contained limited value for resolving the crisis. While Moscow is not entirely satisfied with these drafts, Ushakov conceded they represent a step in the right direction. Previous rounds of negotiation in January and February yielded little tangible progress beyond prisoner exchanges, as both sides remained entrenched in their core demands.
The St. Petersburg discussions included a review of postwar economic plans and European security arrangements. Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, joined the session via video link. A U.S. official familiar with the private discussions confirmed that Witkoff and Kushner proposed the technical level trilateral meeting and shared updates from their earlier talks with Zelenskyy in Norway. This coordination suggests a concerted effort by the U.S. administration to inject new energy into the peace efforts.
In a notable shift, Putin indicated openness to restoring economic ties with the United States. He stated that large-scale joint economic projects were discussed in detail, with some nearing the implementation stage. Additionally, Putin mentioned he was prepared to discuss the U.S.-led conflict with Iran, suggesting Russia could leverage its relationship with Tehran to facilitate peace. As a gesture of goodwill following a request from Trump, Russia also released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher imprisoned on mercenary charges.
The diplomatic activity in Russia was extensive, with Putin also meeting Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The two leaders discussed a potential trilateral economic summit in China next month, with Beijing reportedly already making preparations. Following his trip, Witkoff returned to Oslo for further consultations with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Støre suggested that a new diplomatic phase may be beginning and indicated that the new talks would likely occur in mid-November.
Meanwhile, the war continues to exact a heavy toll on the ground. Trump increased pressure on Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Tuesday, stating that the U.S. has given much to Ukraine and received little in return. Zelenskyy noted that Kyiv is once again receiving early warnings about incoming missiles, a change from recent strikes that lacked sufficient notice from allies. Overnight attacks on energy facilities in Kyiv and other cities resulted in five deaths and at least 23 injuries, while Russian air defenses reported intercepting 373 Ukrainian drones overnight.
