Kremlin backs three-way Ukraine talks starting after Nov. 10

Russia has agreed to restart trilateral negotiations with the United States and Ukraine next month, marking a potential pivot in the conflict after a period of stalled diplomacy. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov announced that President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to resume these talks after November 10. This development follows a three-hour meeting between Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg, signaling a renewed effort to find a path toward ending the war.

The upcoming discussions will center on constructing a security framework for both nations once the conflict concludes. Witkoff’s visit to Moscow occurred just one day after he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders in Oslo. Ushakov described the proposals from the Oslo gathering as containing little of real value for resolving the crisis, though he later noted that they represent a step in the right direction even if they do not fully satisfy Moscow.

U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Kyiv to finalize a deal, stating that the United States has provided substantial support to Ukraine without receiving adequate returns. Zelenskyy voiced support for the rapid resumption of talks, emphasizing that the goal is to prepare for a meeting at the leaders' level. He noted that while Russia had previously expressed readiness to meet, previous plans were canceled, leaving Kyiv to see how the new format unfolds.

During the St. Petersburg meeting, Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who joined via video, proposed a technical level working session among the three countries. The group also discussed postwar economic plans and European security. Ushakov highlighted that large-scale joint economic projects between the U.S. and Russia were discussed in detail, with some nearing the implementation stage. Putin indicated he was open to considering the restoration of economic ties and using Russia's relationship with Iran to help bring about peace.

The diplomatic push coincides with continued military actions on the ground. Overnight attacks on Kyiv left three people dead and twelve wounded, with damage reported to ten residential buildings. Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi stated that energy facilities in Kyiv and three other cities were targeted. In Kharkiv, drone strikes on a residential area killed two people and injured eleven. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 373 Ukrainian drones over various regions, including Crimea and the Black Sea.

In a gesture that appeared to be driven by a request from Trump, Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher imprisoned on mercenary charges. Witkoff characterized the move as a goodwill gesture. Meanwhile, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre suggested that the parties may have entered a new phase of diplomacy. He indicated that the new talks are likely to occur in mid-November and noted that while Ukraine may not formally accept the current front line as a border, the practicality of living with it is a different matter.

The broader context of the war, now more than four and a half years old, shows signs of shifting dynamics. The Trump administration's peace efforts, which began in early last year, had made limited progress until recently. Putin also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in St. Petersburg. The two leaders discussed a possible trilateral meeting with the United States at an economic summit in China next month, with Beijing reportedly already preparing for the event. This coordination underscores the interconnected nature of global economic and security interests as the war enters a new diplomatic chapter.