In brief
After a brief, three‑hour meeting in St Petersburg, Kremlin operative Yuriy Ushakov confirmed that Russia is prepared to restart trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States. The talks, halted in February following Ukrainian strikes, are now eyed for a November session. Moscow remains skeptical of the proposals from US envoy Steve Witkoff, who also visited Kyiv, Finland, and Norway. Ushakov emphasized that forthcoming talks must focus on a post‑conflict security framework for both Russia and Ukraine.
Russia is "ready in principle" to resume talks with the US and Ukraine on ending the conflict, Ukrainian sources say.
Yuriy Ushakov, Putin’s chief foreign policy aide, spoke after the meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg. Kiev has been pressing Moscow for an immediate resumption of the trilateral talks that were suspended in February, and Ushakov said a new round could be held next month.
Witkoff had visited Kyiv, Finland and Norway earlier in the week. Ushakov described their ideas as lacking useful substance. The Kremlin had blamed last month’s “massive” Ukrainian strikes for the sudden halt in dialogue.
The talks aim to forge a post‑conflict security system for Russia and Ukraine, Ushakov added, and he suggested a meeting in early November. The new round will seek to build a framework for lasting peace after the war that began with Russia’s 2022 invasion.
