Kremlin Greenlights Three-Way Ukraine Peace Talks for November

Three hours. That is how long Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff spent in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, a duration that signals a significant shift in diplomatic posture. Following the lengthy session, Kremlin officials confirmed that Moscow has agreed in principle to restart three-way negotiations with Washington and Kyiv. This development potentially sets the stage for the first such high-level talks since February, marking a notable pivot in the conflict that has persisted for more than four and a half years.

The decision comes after Witkoff’s recent tour of European capitals. He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders in Oslo just a day before his St. Petersburg meeting. While Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, stated that the proposals from Oslo contained little of real value, he later clarified to state television that they represented a step in the right direction. The upcoming talks will focus on building a security system for both nations after the conflict concludes.

Key figures played central roles in this diplomatic push. Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the U.S. President’s son-in-law, proposed the three-way meeting at the technical level during their discussion with Putin. Kushner joined the conversation via video link, according to Ushakov. The group also debated a postwar economic plan and European security arrangements. Ushakov noted that large-scale joint economic projects between Russia and the U.S. were discussed in detail, with some nearing the implementation stage.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed support for the swift restart of negotiations. In an audio message released late Wednesday, he stated that the agenda is clear: to end the war and prepare for a meeting at the leaders' level. However, he remained cautious, noting that Russia had previously canceled similar engagements. His remarks were made shortly after a missile alert sounded over Kyiv, with loud explosions reported in the capital, underscoring the ongoing intensity of the conflict despite diplomatic efforts.

U.S. President Donald Trump has applied significant pressure on Kyiv to reach an agreement. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump urged Zelenskyy to make a deal, citing the substantial aid provided by the United States. He warned that failing to reach an accord could result in very bad consequences. This pressure comes amid soured relations between the two leaders, with Trump emphasizing the need for tangible results from the peace process.

The stakes extend beyond the battlefield to broader geopolitical alignments. Putin indicated he is ready to consider restoring economic ties with the U.S. and is prepared to discuss the U.S.-led conflict with Iran, suggesting Moscow is willing to use its relationship with Tehran to help bring peace. Additionally, Putin and Witkoff discussed a potential meeting among the Russian, Chinese, and U.S. leaders at an economic summit in China next month. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who met with Putin in St. Petersburg, is already preparing for this engagement.

On the ground, the war continues to exact a heavy toll. Overnight Russian attacks left five people dead and at least 23 others wounded across Ukraine. In Kyiv, three people were killed and 12 wounded, with ten residential buildings damaged. Russian forces also targeted energy facilities in Kyiv and three other cities. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 373 Ukrainian drones overnight over multiple regions, including the Crimean Peninsula and the Black Sea.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who met with Witkoff in Oslo after his Russian trip, suggested a new phase in diplomacy may have begun. He indicated the new talks are likely to occur in mid-November. While he acknowledged that Ukraine may not formally accept a border along the current front line, he noted that whether they can live with it is a separate matter. This diplomatic momentum contrasts with the recent violence, highlighting the complex interplay between negotiation and combat.

In a related move, Russia released a retired American teacher, Stephen Hubbard, who had been imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary. Witkoff described the release as a goodwill gesture following Trump’s request to Putin. These developments, combined with the agreed-upon talks, suggest that while the path to peace remains fraught with challenges, both sides are actively seeking opportunities to end the prolonged conflict.