Putin Agrees to Resume US-Brokered Peace Talks With Ukraine
Vladimir Putin agreed to resume trilateral peace negotiations with the United States and Ukraine after November 10 following a diplomatic meeting in St. Petersburg.
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to resume U.S.-brokered peace negotiations with Ukraine starting after November 10, with Abu Dhabi proposed as a potential site. The agreement followed a three-hour meeting in St. Petersburg on October 21 between Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, with Jared Kushner participating via teleconference. As a goodwill gesture during the meeting, Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher held on mercenary charges.
Despite the diplomatic progress, tensions remain high. Russia launched a massive attack on Kyiv involving 21 missiles and 210 drones shortly after the meeting, while Russian forces reportedly reached Sloviansk for the first time since 2014. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected a peace plan developed in Oslo by the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine, asserting that Moscow will not make political concessions.
President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reach a deal, citing the high monetary and human cost of U.S. support. Reports indicate a dramatic shift in U.S. policy, including plans to allow more Russian diesel oil into the market and a request for Zelenskyy to step down. While Zelenskyy expressed readiness for negotiations and suggested he might cede 25% of Ukrainian territory for peace, he remains skeptical of Russian commitments. European leaders are currently debating appointing a formal representative to negotiate directly with Putin to ensure their interests are protected in any final agreement.
