3-Way Ukraine Peace Talks Set for November

Russia has agreed to resume trilateral peace negotiations with the United States and Ukraine, potentially marking the first such direct dialogue since February. The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that President Vladimir Putin approved the move in principle following high-level discussions in St. Petersburg.

The agreement was reached after a three-hour meeting between Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff at the Constantine Palace. Yuri Ushakov, the Russian president’s foreign affairs adviser, stated that the upcoming talks will focus on constructing a post-conflict security framework for both Russia and Ukraine. Ushakov added that the negotiations are expected to begin after November 10.

This development follows Witkoff’s earlier meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders in Oslo. While Ushakov initially described the Oslo proposals as containing little real value, he later conceded that they represented a step in the right direction, even if Moscow is not fully satisfied. Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who joined the St. Petersburg meeting via video, also discussed a postwar economic plan and European security arrangements.

Zelenskyy expressed support for the swift resumption of talks, noting in an audio message that the agenda is clear: to end the war and prepare for a leaders’ level meeting. However, the Ukrainian leader remained cautious, recalling that Russia had previously signaled readiness to meet only for talks to be canceled. He stated, “We’ll see what happens this time.”

The diplomatic push comes as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Kyiv to reach a deal. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump argued that the U.S. has given much to Ukraine without sufficient return, warning that failure to make a deal would lead to bad outcomes. Meanwhile, Witkoff’s trip to Russia coincided with his release of Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher imprisoned in Russia on mercenary charges, which Witkoff described as a goodwill gesture.

Despite the diplomatic momentum, the conflict continues to rage on the ground. Russian air defenses reported intercepting 373 Ukrainian drones over various regions and the Black Sea overnight. In response to overnight attacks, Ukrainian authorities reported that five people were killed and at least 23 others were wounded. Strikes targeted energy facilities in Kyiv and three other cities, while the Russian Defense Ministry said it hit a warehouse, an electrical substation, and a bulk carrier near Odesa.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who met with Witkoff in Oslo after his Russian visit, suggested the region may be entering a new phase of diplomacy. He indicated that the new talks are likely to occur in mid-November. Støre also addressed the issue of borders, suggesting that while Ukraine may not formally accept the current front line as a permanent border, it may learn to live with it.

Further diplomatic efforts are underway, with Putin and Witkoff discussing a potential trilateral meeting between Russian, Chinese, and U.S. leaders at an upcoming economic summit in China. Beijing is already preparing for the event, according to Ushakov. Additionally, Putin indicated readiness to discuss restoring U.S.-Russia economic ties and using Moscow's relationship with Tehran to help bring peace to the region.

The next few weeks are expected to be critical as the three sides move toward the technical-level meetings. With the war entering its fifth year, all parties appear eager to inject new momentum into the peace process, though significant hurdles remain regarding territorial claims and security guarantees.