Russia agrees to restart Ukraine peace talks in November

Russia has agreed to resume three-way peace negotiations with the United States and Ukraine next month, a development that signals a renewed attempt to end the war after years of stalled progress.

Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov announced Wednesday that President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to restart talks after November 10. This decision follows a three-hour meeting in St. Petersburg between Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The talks are expected to focus on establishing a security framework for both nations once the conflict concludes.

The move comes as President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Kyiv to reach a deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed support for the swift restart of discussions, stating in an audio message that the agenda is clear: to end the war and prepare for a meeting at the leaders' level. However, Zelenskyy noted that Russia has previously canceled similar meetings, leaving observers uncertain about the outcome this time.

Previous diplomatic efforts have yielded limited results. Three rounds of negotiations took place in early 2026, including sessions in Abu Dhabi and Geneva, but little progress was made beyond prisoner exchanges. Ushakov described the recent proposals from an Oslo meeting as containing little real value, though he later conceded they were a step in the right direction. The current talks aim to inject new momentum into U.S.-led peace efforts more than four and a half years after the invasion began.

During the St. Petersburg meeting, Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who joined via video, proposed a technical-level three-way meeting. They also discussed a postwar economic plan and European security arrangements. Putin indicated readiness to consider restoring economic ties with the U.S. and to discuss the U.S.-led conflict in Iran, suggesting Moscow might use its relationship with Tehran to facilitate peace.

In a related gesture, Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher imprisoned on mercenary charges. Witkoff characterized the release as a goodwill move following Trump’s request to Putin. Meanwhile, Putin met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and the two discussed a potential trilateral economic summit in China next month, which Beijing is already preparing for.

Diplomatic activity continues in Europe, where Witkoff met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo. Støre suggested that Russia may be entering a new diplomatic phase, with talks likely in mid-November. He noted that while Ukraine may not formally accept a border along the current front line, it might be able to live with such an arrangement.

Despite the diplomatic moves, the war continues to rage. Trump warned that if Zelenskyy does not make a deal, the consequences will be severe, criticizing Ukraine for returning little more than grief and monetary loss. Overnight Russian attacks on Kyiv and other cities killed at least five people and wounded dozens, with energy facilities targeted in multiple regions. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting hundreds of Ukrainian drones across several regions and the Black Sea.

Zelenskyy confirmed that Kyiv is once again receiving early warnings about incoming missiles from partners, a process that had been inconsistent in recent weeks. This shift in communication highlights the ongoing friction between Washington and Kyiv as both sides navigate the complexities of the ongoing conflict.