Kremlin Approves New Ukraine Peace Talks for November

Residents of major cities may soon see a shift in the diplomatic landscape surrounding the war in Ukraine. Russia has agreed to resume three-way negotiations with the United States and Kyiv. These talks are scheduled to begin next month. This marks a potential first round of such direct discussions since February.

The decision was announced by Yuri Ushakov, a foreign affairs adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ushakov stated that Putin agreed "in principle" to restart the process after November 10. This agreement followed a three-hour meeting in St. Petersburg between Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The Kremlin official said the primary goal is to build a security system for both nations once the conflict concludes.

U.S. President Donald Trump has been pressing Kyiv to reach a deal to stop the fighting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy supported this push in an audio message released late Wednesday. He described the agenda as clear, focusing on ending the war and preparing for a leaders' level meeting. However, he noted that previous attempts were canceled, leaving the outcome uncertain.

The St. Petersburg meeting included Ushakov and Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev at the table. Jared Kushner, son-in-law to President Trump, joined the discussion via video link. According to a U.S. official, Witkoff and Kushner proposed the technical-level meeting and shared progress from their recent talks with Zelenskoff. They also discussed a postwar economic plan and European security arrangements.

Prior to the St. Petersburg meeting, Witkoff met with Zelenskyy and European leaders in Oslo. Ushakov criticized the proposals from that meeting, saying they contained "little of real value." However, he later told Russian state television that the Oslo proposals were a step in the right direction, even if Moscow was not fully satisfied. The last series of negotiations earlier this year saw little progress beyond prisoner exchanges.

During his televised remarks, Putin expressed readiness to consider restoring economic ties with the United States. He also said Russia was prepared to discuss the U.S.-led conflict with Iran. Ushakov noted that large-scale joint economic projects were discussed in detail with Witkoff. He added that some of these projects are nearing the implementation stage, signaling a potential thaw in economic relations.

In a related development, Russia released a retired American teacher who had been imprisoned on mercenary charges. Witkoff suggested this was a goodwill gesture after Trump asked Putin to free the man. Additionally, Putin met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in St. Petersburg. The two leaders discussed a possible summit next month involving Russian, Chinese, and U.S. leaders in China.

Back in Norway, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met with Witkoff at an airport before the envoy returned to the U.S. Støre told a local broadcaster that a new diplomatic phase may be beginning. He predicted the new talks would likely occur in mid-November. He also addressed the issue of borders, suggesting Ukraine might live with the current front line without formally accepting it as a new border.

Despite diplomatic moves, fighting continues. Russian attacks overnight killed five people and wounded at least 23 others in Ukraine. Three died in Kyiv, while two died near Kharkiv. The Russian Defense Ministry said it struck a warehouse, an electrical substation, and a ship bound for Odesa. U.S. air defenses reported intercepting 373 Ukrainian drones over multiple Russian regions and the Black Sea.

President Trump increased pressure on Zelenskyy during a visit to the White House on Tuesday. He stated that the U.S. wants Zelenskyy to make a deal, expressing frustration over the lack of return on American support. Zelenskyy responded by saying Kyiv is again receiving early missile warnings from partners, a process that had recently faltered.