Putin Agrees to Resume Trilateral Talks on Ukraine War with Kyiv, Washington/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to resume negotiations with Washington and Kyiv after Nov. 10, according to the Kremlin. The announcement followed Steve Witkoff’s meeting with Putin in St. Petersburg and consultations with Ukrainian and European leaders in Oslo. Major differences remain over a settlement as Russian attacks continue and Zelenskyy reports that partners have resumed early missile warnings.
Quick Look
- Talks proposed: The Kremlin said Putin agreed in principle to resume trilateral negotiations after Nov. 10.
- Security focus: Russia said discussions would address a postwar security system for both countries.
- Diplomatic shuttle: Witkoff met Putin after Oslo talks and planned to return to Norway.
- Ukraine’s position: Zelenskyy described freezing the conflict as the minimum step needed toward ending the war.
- Intelligence update: Zelenskyy said advance warnings about Russian missile attacks were reaching Ukraine again.
- Continued casualties: Ukrainian officials reported five deaths in overnight attacks on Kyiv and near Kharkiv.
Deep Look
Kremlin Says Putin Agrees in Principle to Renew Talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed Wednesday to resume trilateral negotiations with the United States and Ukraine after Nov. 10, according to his foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov.
Ushakov announced the development after Putin met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg.
The adviser said Putin had agreed “in principle” and that negotiations would focus on “building a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends.”
The statement signals willingness to restart discussions rather than an agreement on the terms of a settlement.
Russia and Ukraine remain far apart, and the report offered no indication of an imminent breakthrough.
Witkoff Meets Putin After Oslo Consultations
The approximately three-hour meeting took place at Constantine Palace, with Ushakov and Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev attending.
Witkoff said Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, was expected to join by video.
Putin thanked Trump and Witkoff for their efforts to end the war.
Witkoff’s visit followed Tuesday’s meeting in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.
Before speaking with Putin, Witkoff described the Oslo discussions as “productive” and said “there is some degree of momentum.”
Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who participated in the Norway meeting, said late Tuesday that it “made genuine progress.”
Zelenskyy Calls for Freezing the Conflict
Zelenskyy described freezing the fighting as the “minimum” Russia must accept to move toward ending the war.
“Right now, we have to freeze, and I think this is (the) real way to end this war,” he said in an interview broadcast Wednesday on Fox News.
The issues discussed in Oslo included future security guarantees for Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory, postwar reconstruction and a possible ceasefire.
American efforts since early last year have failed to produce significant progress toward ending the full-scale invasion, now more than four and a half years old.
Diesel Exports and Economic Relations Enter Discussions
Witkoff thanked Putin for lifting Russia’s diesel export ban, arguing that the decision would help lower fuel costs for American farmers and truck drivers.
The diesel arrangement has drawn criticism from some U.S. lawmakers.
Putin said he was willing to examine opportunities to restore economic relations with Washington.
He also offered to discuss the U.S.-led conflict with Iran, saying Moscow could use its relationship with Tehran to help pursue peace.
Russia Releases American Stephen Hubbard
Russia also released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, Witkoff said Wednesday.
The release followed Trump’s request that Putin free him and appeared to represent a goodwill gesture.
Separately, Putin was scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang in St. Petersburg.
Russia has strengthened its relationship with China. Last month, the two countries vetoed a U.S. proposal to continue United Nations expert monitoring of sanctions on Iran.
Norway Sees Possible New Diplomatic Phase
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Witkoff planned to return to Oslo for further consultations after visiting Russia.
“I think we may have entered a phase now where the Russians are also looking for opportunities for diplomacy,” Støre told broadcaster NRK on Wednesday.
Zelenskyy remained in Oslo, visiting Norway’s parliament and meeting lawmakers.
The renewed contacts come despite continued attacks that have undermined earlier ceasefire efforts.
Trump said Oct. 11 that Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to stop attacks on energy infrastructure. Russia subsequently continued striking Ukraine’s power grid, while Ukraine attacked Russian refineries.
On Sunday, Ukrainian strikes set fire to an oil export terminal and a depot in St. Petersburg during an operation involving more than 1,000 drones.
Trump Presses Zelenskyy to Reach Agreement
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that Moscow would listen to new American proposals but did not expect a “miracle.”
Trump, meanwhile, increased pressure on Zelenskyy amid another deterioration in their relationship.
“We want Zelenskyy to make a deal,” Trump told reporters Tuesday in the Oval Office. “We’ve given a lot to Ukraine. We’ve gotten absolutely nothing back except grief, death, tremendous monetary loss.”
Without an agreement, “I think it’s going to be a very bad thing,” he said.
Ukraine Says Early Missile Warnings Have Resumed
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was again receiving early warnings from partner countries about incoming Russian missiles.
He had previously complained that recent attacks occurred without sufficient advance notice from allies, raising concerns about the continuity of Western support.
The improvement followed conversations with American officials, including a phone call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Russian Attacks Kill Five as Fighting Continues
Kyiv’s military administration said overnight Russian attacks killed three people, wounded 12 and damaged 10 residential buildings.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said energy facilities in Kyiv and three other cities were targeted early Wednesday.
Outside Kharkiv, drone explosions in a residential area killed two people and wounded 11, he said.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces struck a warehouse, an electrical substation and a bulk carrier sailing toward Odesa.
The ministry also claimed Russian air defenses intercepted 373 Ukrainian drones overnight across Russian regions, illegally annexed Crimea and the Black Sea.
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