Russia signals preliminary readiness to resume Ukraine talks that could start on November 10

Key Facts

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Russian President Vladimir Putin had told U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff of Moscow's preliminary readiness to resume talks with Ukraine and the United States, reviving a negotiating process stalled since February. Ushakov said the proposed round would focus on "building a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends." According to Reuters, no such talks have taken place since that month, following rounds involving representatives of the countries concerned early in the year. Those countries held 3 rounds, according to the Associated Press. Abu Dhabi hosted two rounds in January and February, before talks held in Geneva, also in February.

Russia's position emerged during a meeting between Putin and Witkoff in St. Petersburg that lasted nearly 3 hours, following consultations the U.S. envoy held with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders in Oslo. Ushakov expressed reservations about the proposals that emerged from those consultations, saying they contained "little of any real value" for resolving the Ukrainian crisis. He later described them as a step in the right direction, despite Moscow's dissatisfaction with them overall. In a statement on the Oslo meetings, the Ukrainian presidency said the U.S. side had stressed that security guarantees for Ukraine must be strong. During the meetings, Zelenskiy offered to stop targeting sensitive Russian energy facilities, on condition that Russia stop targeting Ukraine's energy sector. He said: "We are ready not to strike sensitive parts of Russia's energy sector if Russia stops striking ours."

Russia's negotiating objectives include full control of the Donetsk region, according to Reuters. Moscow also remains opposed to Ukraine joining NATO. Alongside those two demands concerning territory and military alignment, Russia is seeking a comprehensive peace agreement. Russia's position calls for a comprehensive settlement rather than a temporary truce. Moscow's demands thus combine territorial control, Ukraine's status in relation to the alliance and the nature of the agreement it wants to reach to end the conflict.

U.S. discussions also covered economic issues related to the postwar period, alongside security matters. A U.S. official familiar with the talks, quoted by the Associated Press, said Witkoff and Jared Kushner discussed an economic plan for that period. Their discussions also covered European security and arrangements for the next meeting, according to the official. On the Russian side, Ushakov said some joint economic projects between Russia and the United States were "nearing implementation." His remarks on those projects came alongside contacts on resuming negotiations, while the U.S. discussions addressed economic planning for after the war ends.

In a separate development involving detainees, Russia released retired American teacher Stephen Hubbard. Witkoff described his release as a goodwill gesture after U.S. President Donald Trump asked Putin to free him. Earlier, on the issue of prisoners, Ukraine's Defence Ministry documented the return of 157 Ukrainians from Russian captivity in an exchange. The ministry said the operation was the first prisoner exchange in 2026. Those released included 150 military personnel and 7 civilians, according to the ministry, marking a humanitarian outcome that preceded the proposed diplomatic process.

As for the next round, the Kremlin said it would be held at the technical level and that Abu Dhabi could host it. It added that talks could begin on November 10 or later, with Russia's agreement remaining preliminary and the venue still tentative. Zelenskiy backed the U.S. proposal to resume talks quickly, expressing hope they would take place no later than early November. The Ukrainian president said: "I think they will take place no later than early November," suggesting an earlier timeframe than the earliest possible date cited by the Kremlin. On the possibility of a meeting between Putin and Zelenskiy, the Kremlin says such a meeting requires careful advance preparation by their aides.