3-Way Ukraine Talks Set to Resume After 8-Month Pause

The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that Russia is prepared to resume three-way peace negotiations with the United States and Ukraine next month. This development marks the first time such talks have been scheduled since February, offering a potential breakthrough after nearly eight months of silence. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to the restart in principle following a three-hour meeting in St. Petersburg with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

According to Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, the upcoming discussions will center on constructing a security system for both nations once the conflict concludes. The talks are expected to take place shortly after November 10. This move aligns with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent stance, as he expressed support for Washington’s push to restart the process quickly. Zelenskyy noted in an audio message that the agenda is clear: to end the war and prepare for a leaders-level meeting, though he remained cautious given the history of canceled sessions.

The decision to meet comes amid continued military pressure. Just hours after Zelenskyy’s supportive remarks, missile alerts sounded over Kyiv, and loud explosions were reported in the capital. Overnight strikes had left three people dead and 12 wounded in Kyiv, while additional attacks near Kharkiv killed two more and injured eleven. Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi stated that energy facilities in Kyiv and three other cities were targeted. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 373 Ukrainian drones over various regions and the Black Sea.

Contextually, the St. Petersburg meeting followed Witkoff’s visit to Oslo, where he met with Zelenskyy and European leaders the previous day. Ushakov criticized the proposals from Oslo as containing little real value, though he later described them as a step in the right direction. During the St. Petersburg session, Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who joined via video, proposed the technical-level three-way meeting. They also discussed a postwar economic plan and European security. Putin indicated he was ready to consider restoring U.S.-Russia economic ties, with Ushakov noting that some joint projects are nearing implementation.

U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Kyiv to compromise, telling reporters in the Oval Office that he wants a deal and citing significant losses for the U.S. He warned that failing to reach an agreement could lead to very bad outcomes. Despite strained relations, Zelenskyy said Kyiv is once again receiving early warnings about incoming missiles from its partners. The diplomatic push coincides with broader geopolitical maneuvers, as Putin met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in St. Petersburg. The two leaders discussed a potential trilateral economic summit in China next month, a meeting Beijing is already preparing for. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who met briefly with Witkoff in Oslo after his Russia trip, suggested the region may be entering a new diplomatic phase.

In other related developments, Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher imprisoned on mercenary charges. Witkoff described the release as a goodwill gesture following Trump’s request. The next round of talks is anticipated to occur in mid-November, providing a critical test for the renewed diplomatic efforts that began more than four and a half years ago.