In brief
Russia’s top aide said the country is ready in principle to resume negotiations with Ukraine and the United States aimed at ending the war that began in February 2022. After a meeting in St Petersburg with US envoy Steve Witkoff, Yuriy Ushakov confirmed Kyiv had been urging a swift return of the stalled trilateral talks and suggested a new round could convene in November. The discussion would focus on establishing a post‑war security framework for Russia and Ukraine. Although past talks were halted following a wave of Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, Russia remains open to dialogue if Ukraine and the US comply with its conditions.
Russia is ready in principle to resume talks with the US and Ukraine on ending the conflict, Vladimir Putin's top aide said after a two‑hour meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg. The conversation followed the U.S. envoy's visit to Moscow after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of Norway and Finland.
Ushakov noted that Kyiv has been pressing Moscow for an immediate resumption of the stalled trilateral talks, which were suspended in February. He added that a new round could be held next month.
The Russian aide said the ideas presented by the envoy were not very useful and suggested that a fresh round would focus on building a post‑war security system for both Russia and Ukraine. He proposed that the next discussions could take place around 10 November.
Official talks among Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. representatives have sought to end the war that began in February 2022. The negotiations were put on hold after last month’s massive Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, which the Kremlin blamed for disrupting the peace process.
