Russia said on Oct. 21 that it was willing in principle to restart three-way peace talks with Ukraine and the United States in November after President Vladimir Putin met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv would take part.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin made the offer during a meeting in St. Petersburg that lasted nearly three hours. Ushakov said Moscow proposed discussing security arrangements for Russia and Ukraine after the war. He said talks could restart around mid-November.
The last round of talks mediated by the United States took place in February. Witkoff briefed Putin on discussions in Oslo the previous day. There, Witkoff met Zelensky and European officials to discuss proposals for ending the war.
Zelensky said Ukraine would support proposals on a ceasefire, ending the war, energy issues and humanitarian steps. These steps included returning prisoners and diplomats. He said the negotiating teams should develop an agenda.
He also said they should prepare for a meeting between national leaders. No date has been set for that meeting. Zelensky suggested talks might happen by early November, earlier than the Kremlin's estimate of mid-month.
He voiced caution that Russia might not follow through. Ushakov also described proposals from Kyiv and European governments as offering little of use. This signaled that the parties remain far apart even as they discuss restarting negotiations.