Diplomatic Shift: Kremlin Greenlights Three-Way Ukraine Talks After Witkoff-Putin Meeting

A significant diplomatic breakthrough was announced Wednesday, with the Kremlin confirming that Russia is ready to resume three-way negotiations with the United States and Ukraine. This development follows a high-stakes meeting in St. Petersburg between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, potentially setting the stage for the first substantive talks since February.

According to Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, the Russian leader agreed in principle to restart the process after November 10. The primary objective of these upcoming discussions, Ushakov stated, is to construct a comprehensive security framework for both nations once the conflict concludes. This move arrives at a critical juncture, as President Donald Trump continues to apply intense pressure on Kyiv to finalize a deal that halts the fighting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced his support for the swift resumption of talks, noting that the agenda is straightforward: end the war and prepare for a meeting between top leaders. However, he remained cautious, reminding observers that Russia has previously expressed readiness to meet before canceling scheduled discussions. Zelenskyy’s message was delivered just as missile alerts sounded over Kyiv, underscoring the ongoing volatility on the ground.

The St. Petersburg discussions, which lasted approximately three hours, took place the day after Witkoff met with Zelenskyy and European counterparts in Oslo. While Ushakov initially described the proposals from the Oslo meeting as lacking real value for resolving the crisis, he later softened his stance on Russian state television. He indicated that while Moscow is not fully satisfied, the Oslo outcomes represent a step in the right direction.

During the private session at the Constantine Palace, Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who joined via video link, proposed the technical-level three-way meeting. They also reviewed a postwar economic plan and European security arrangements. A U.S. official familiar with the discussions noted that the leaders appear keen to generate new momentum for peace efforts more than four and a half years into the war, despite previous stagnation.

Beyond the immediate conflict, Putin signaled openness to broader economic engagement. He stated he was ready to consider restoring U.S.-Russia economic ties and discussed the U.S.-Iran conflict, suggesting Moscow could use its relationship with Tehran to foster peace. Ushakov added that large-scale joint economic projects were discussed in detail, with some nearing the implementation stage.

In a gesture of goodwill, Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher who had been imprisoned on mercenary charges. Witkoff indicated this release followed a request from Trump to Putin. Additionally, Putin met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and the two leaders discussed a potential trilateral economic summit in China next month, for which Beijing is already making preparations.

Back in Oslo, Witkoff met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who suggested that Russia is now looking for diplomatic opportunities. Støre predicted the new talks would likely occur in mid-November. When asked about the possibility of Ukraine accepting the current front line as a border, Støre noted that while formal acceptance is unlikely, Kyiv may find it possible to live with such an arrangement.

The diplomatic push coincides with continued military exchanges. Overnight Russian strikes killed five people and wounded at least 23 others, with energy facilities targeted in several cities. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 373 Ukrainian drones over multiple regions and the Black Sea. Meanwhile, at the White House, Trump urged Zelenskyy to make a deal, warning that failure to do so would have severe consequences for Ukraine.