Witkoff asks Putin to consider resuming Russia-US-Ukraine talks at technical level
In short
US special envoy Steve Witkoff told Russian President Vladimir Putin on 21 October that he hopes Putin will consider resuming three-way talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine. Witkoff said the talks could be held by technical groups of specialists, and that even without a final answer that day it would be good to discuss the proposal.
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US special envoy Steve Witkoff said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that he hopes Putin will consider resuming three-way talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States. Kommersant reported that the meeting took place in Saint Petersburg on 21 October. TASS, RIA Novosti, RBC and Interfax also reported the remarks that day. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Interfax quoted Witkoff as saying: "I also hope that today we will have a chance to discuss the next steps for settling the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. I also hope you will consider resuming three-way talks with the participation of Ukraine, Russia and the United States, within which we could discuss next steps towards a settlement." [ 5 ]
According to Witkoff, the participants could be representatives of technical groups, specialists who would discuss these issues in detail. He added that even if no final answer or decision was possible that day, he thought it would be good to discuss the matter so that Putin could consider the proposal. In his words, "all of us and the world are ready for this". [ 5 , 6 ]
Kommersant added that Russia, the US and Ukraine held talks on a peaceful settlement in early 2026, and that the meetings had to be suspended because the US was focused on resolving a conflict with Iran. According to Kommersant, Washington resumed its peace initiatives in September, and Witkoff and Jared Kushner travelled to Moscow and Kyiv for talks, but no meetings of technical groups from the three countries have yet been held. [ 6 ]
On 20 October RIA Novosti reported that after Oslo, Witkoff planned to go to Russia, where he hoped to meet Putin and present ideas developed in close consultation with Ukraine and European partners. The agency attributed this to a post on X that cited an unnamed US official. The documents do not report a response from Putin. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The documents show the US envoy raising a return to three-way talks on settling the Ukraine conflict directly with Putin. They do not report any Russian response, so the outcome remains open.
Key facts
- Steve Witkoff, the US president's special envoy, met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg on 21 October. [ 6 ]
- Witkoff said he hopes Putin will consider resuming three-way talks with Ukraine, Russia and the United States to discuss next steps towards a settlement. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Witkoff said the talks could involve technical groups, specialists who would discuss the issues in detail. [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Witkoff said that even if no final answer was possible that day, it would be good to discuss the idea so that Putin could consider it. [ 5 , 6 ]
- Kommersant wrote that Russia, the US and Ukraine held talks in early 2026, that the meetings were suspended, and that Washington resumed peace initiatives in September. [ 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Putin accepted or rejected the proposal. None of the documents reports a response from Putin or the Kremlin.
- What ideas Witkoff presented and how they were developed. RIA Novosti, citing a post on X that cited an unnamed US official, said Witkoff hoped to present ideas developed in close consultation with Ukraine and European partners; no other document gives details.
- Whether technical-group meetings of the three countries will take place. Kommersant says such meetings have not yet been held in that format; the documents give no date or plan.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On 20 October RIA Novosti reported that after Oslo Witkoff planned to travel to Russia hoping to meet Putin. [ 1 ]
- TASS reported that Witkoff hopes Putin will consider resuming Russia-US-Ukraine talks. [ 2 ]
- RIA Novosti reported Witkoff's hope for resumption of three-way talks. [ 3 ]
- RBC reported that talks could discuss technical issues. [ 4 ]
- Interfax published Witkoff's remarks at the meeting with Putin. [ 5 ]
- Kommersant reported the meeting took place in Saint Petersburg and gave background on earlier talks. [ 6 ]
- RIA Novosti reported Witkoff's hope for a three-way meeting on Ukraine. [ 7 ]