Putin Signals Fresh Ukraine Peace Talks as US Eyes November Trilateral Meeting
ABU DHABI – Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to resume trilateral peace talks with Ukraine under US mediation as early as next month, the Kremlin said Wednesday, raising hopes for renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war.
The talks could take place in Abu Dhabi on or after November 10, at the technical level, according to the Kremlin. Discussions are expected to focus on ending the conflict and ensuring security for both Russia and Ukraine after the war.
The announcement followed a nearly three-hour meeting between Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg on Wednesday. It was the ninth face-to-face meeting between the two, according to the report by Reuters.
At the start of the meeting, Russia released imprisoned US citizen Stephen Hubbard in what was described as a goodwill gesture. US President Donald Trump had previously asked Putin to secure Hubbard’s release, the Kremlin said.
Moscow Signals Reservations Over Progress
Despite the prospect of renewed negotiations, Moscow expressed reservations about proposals discussed during Witkoff’s earlier meetings with Ukrainian and European officials in Oslo, Norway.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that some of the issues raised during the diplomatic discussions had failed to fully satisfy the Russian side.
Witkoff reportedly told Putin that the Oslo talks had generated some momentum, while a US official said Ukraine had presented new ideas and proposals.
The renewed diplomatic push comes amid growing concern in Kyiv and among its allies over Washington’s continued support for Ukraine. The United States has faced allegations of limiting the sharing of real-time intelligence on Russian attacks and disrupting Ukraine’s military communications. The allegations were not independently substantiated in the report.
Trump had pledged during his election campaign to end the war within 24 hours of taking office. More than two years beyond that pledge, efforts to secure a settlement remain ongoing.
The last round of US-mediated peace talks was held in February, according to the report.
Iran and Potential US-China-Russia Meeting Also Discussed
The Kremlin said Putin also offered to help Washington address concerns over Iran’s nuclear programmed, citing Moscow’s longstanding relationship with Tehran.
Putin told Witkoff that Russia’s ties with Iran could help facilitate an agreement with Tehran and that a deal was both possible and necessary, according to the Kremlin.
The two officials also discussed the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving Trump, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China next month.
The Kremlin said China was already preparing for the proposed meeting. If held, it would mark the first gathering of the three leaders in such a format.
While the prospect of renewed talks signals fresh diplomatic activity, key questions remain over the terms of a settlement and how security guarantees for Russia and Ukraine could be implemented after the fighting ends.
