Russia Agrees to Three-Way Talks With U.S. and Ukraine

Russia has agreed to take part in three-way negotiations alongside the United States and Ukraine next month, a Kremlin adviser said on Oct. 21, following a meeting in St. Petersburg between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The talks, which would resume a format not seen since February, are intended to focus on constructing a security framework for both Russia and Ukraine once the conflict concludes.

Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters that the Russian leader had agreed 'in principle' to restart the discussions after Nov. 10. The St Petersburg meeting at the Constantine Palace lasted approximately three hours and included Ushakov and Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev. According to a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity, Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, joined the discussion by video link.

The gathering occurred just one day after Witkoff met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders in Oslo, Norway. Ushakov characterized the proposals emerging from that Oslo session as containing 'little of real value in the context of resolving the Ukrainian crisis.' However, in a subsequent appearance on Russian state television, he conceded that while Moscow is not 'fully satisfied' with the proposals, they do represent a step in the right direction.

During the St Petersburg discussion, Witkoff and Kushner proposed a technical-level meeting involving representatives from all three nations. They also shared details regarding their previous day's talks with Zelenskyy, as well as discussing a postwar economic plan and European security arrangements. Putin, in televised opening remarks, stated he was prepared to consider restoring economic ties between Russia and the United States, while also expressing willingness to discuss the conflict involving Iran.

Ushakov noted that large-scale joint economic projects offering significant prospects for cooperation were examined in detail, with some nearing the implementation stage. In a separate development on Oct. 21, Russia released a retired American teacher who had been imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. Witkoff suggested this appeared to be a gesture of goodwill following a request from Trump regarding Stephen Hubbard.

Zelenskyy, in an audio message issued late on Oct. 21, expressed support for the push from Washington to restart talks rapidly. 'The agenda is clear: to end the war, bring peace closer, and, as I understand it, prepare everything for a meeting at the leaders' level,' he said. He added that Russia 'has said many times already that it is ready to meet in one format or another' but noted that cancellations had previously occurred. Shortly after his message was released, a missile alert was triggered over Kyiv.

This proposed round of talks would be the first of its kind since February. Representatives from the three nations met three times early in the year, gathering twice in Abu Dhabi in January and February, followed by further discussions in Geneva in February. At that time, little progress was achieved beyond prisoner exchanges, as both Moscow and Kyiv maintained their longstanding fundamental demands regarding the conflict, which has continued for over four and a half years.

Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre indicated that a new phase of diplomacy may be beginning, stating, 'I think we may have entered a phase now where the Russians are also looking for opportunities for diplomacy.' He predicted the talks would likely take place in mid-November. Regarding potential border adjustments, he remarked, 'I don't think Ukraine will ever formally accept it and say that this is the new border. But whether they can live with it is another matter.'

At the White House on Oct. 20, Trump increased pressure on Zelenskyy to secure an agreement, stating, 'We want Zelenskyy to make a deal. We've given a lot to Ukraine. We've gotten absolutely nothing back except grief, death, tremendous monetary loss.' Despite these diplomatic overtures, military activity persisted overnight. Ukrainian officials reported three deaths and twelve injuries in Kyiv, while energy facilities in multiple cities were targeted. Outside Kharkiv, drone explosions resulted in two deaths and eleven injuries. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 373 Ukrainian drones across various regions.

Looking ahead, the planned discussions after Nov. 10 aim to address security guarantees for the post-conflict period. Alongside these arrangements, Putin and Witkoff also discussed a potential meeting next month between the Russian, Chinese, and U.S. leaders at an economic summit in China. Ushakov confirmed that Beijing is already preparing for such a gathering.