Putin Greenlights Three-Way Ukraine Peace Talks With Washington and Kyiv

Vladimir Putin has agreed in principle to resume direct negotiations with the United States and Ukraine next month, a development that could mark the first such trilateral talks since February. Yuri Ushakov, the Russian president's foreign affairs adviser, confirmed the agreement on Wednesday after a meeting in St. Petersburg. The discussions are scheduled to begin after November 10 and will focus on constructing a security framework for both nations once the conflict concludes.

This diplomatic pivot follows a three-hour session between Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff at the Constantine Palace. Witkoff, who was accompanied by Jared Kushner via video link, proposed the three-way meeting at the technical level. The Kremlin stated that the talks are part of a broader effort to find a resolution after more than four and a half years of war. Ushakov noted that while Moscow is not fully satisfied with recent proposals, they represent a step in the right direction.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed support for the swift restart of talks. In an audio message released late Wednesday, he stated that the agenda is to end the war and prepare for a meeting at the leaders' level. He acknowledged that Russia has previously shown readiness to meet but noted that previous plans were canceled. He added that the situation remains uncertain as the parties move forward.

The diplomatic push coincides with continued military pressure. Just after Zelenskyy's message, missile alerts sounded over Kyiv. Russian attacks overnight left three people dead and twelve wounded in the capital, while two others died and eleven were injured in Kharkiv. Ukrainian officials said energy facilities in four cities were targeted. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 373 Ukrainian drones over various regions and the Black Sea.

President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Kyiv to reach a deal, telling reporters on Tuesday that the U.S. has given much to Ukraine and received little in return. He warned that failure to agree would be a bad outcome. Meanwhile, Witkoff returned to Oslo for further consultations with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who suggested the talks may enter a new phase of diplomacy. Støre indicated that the new talks are likely to occur in mid-November.

In other developments, Russia released a retired American teacher who had been imprisoned on mercenary charges, a move Witkoff described as a goodwill gesture. Putin also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in St. Petersburg. The two discussed a potential trilateral economic summit in China next month, with Ushakov noting that Beijing is already preparing for the event. This meeting highlights the continued coordination between Moscow and Beijing on global issues.

The upcoming negotiations will test whether the three sides can overcome longstanding demands. Previous rounds of talks in Abu Dhabi and Geneva yielded limited progress beyond prisoner exchanges. As the parties prepare for the next meeting, the focus will be on whether the technical discussions can translate into a concrete path toward peace.