Russia ready to resume trilateral Ukraine talks in November, Ushakov says
In short
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Vladimir Putin told US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on 21 October that Russia is in principle ready to resume trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine talks in the 10s of November. Ushakov said Abu Dhabi could host the next round and that the main topic is a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends.
Read the full story 2 min read
Russia is in principle ready to resume trilateral talks with the United States and Ukraine in the 10s of November, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told journalists after President Vladimir Putin met US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on 21 October. Ushakov quoted the Kremlin's message to Witkoff: 'The president informed Steve Witkoff that we are in principle ready to resume the mentioned trilateral talks in the 10s of November on the main topic.' He said that topic concerns building a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the end of the conflict. [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 10 ]
Ushakov later said the next round of trilateral talks may be held in Abu Dhabi in the 10s of November, an option discussed at the Putin-Witkoff meeting. Reports of his remarks said Putin will decide who travels to the talks and determine the Russian delegation. A TASS headline said the Abu Dhabi talks are planned at expert level. [ 11 , 12 , 15 , 17 , 18 , 20 , 21 ]
According to Ushakov, Witkoff said the decision would undoubtedly be met with great satisfaction by US President Donald Trump. Vedomosti reported that Witkoff briefed Putin on the Oslo talks and noted new approaches to a settlement, and that the two sides also discussed possible large-scale Russian-US economic projects. Jared Kushner shared his views by video link, and Witkoff thanked Putin on behalf of Trump for the 'diesel deal'. [ 4 , 9 ]
Kommersant reported that Witkoff had agreed a comprehensive settlement proposal with EU and Ukrainian representatives in Oslo the day before and presented the materials to Putin. Ushakov said the document contained 'not so much that is useful' for settling the Ukraine crisis. Meduza gave the same quote and said Witkoff described new approaches of the EU and Kyiv. [ 7 , 10 ]
Ushakov recalled that Russia had been ready to return to trilateral talks after the State Duma elections. He said the 'Ukrainian regime itself' disrupted that by carrying out 'super-massive strikes' on Moscow and other cities on election day. The documents do not include a response from Ukraine. [ 7 ]
Vedomosti said the talks at the Konstantinovsky Palace lasted more than three hours, while a TASS summary said Ushakov called the meeting thorough and frank and said it lasted almost three hours. Vedomosti noted that in early September the Kremlin had allowed for resumption of trilateral talks and that in late September Dmitry Peskov confirmed a possible trilateral meeting in the UAE was discussed in a Putin-Trump call. In May, Ushakov had said the talks were suspended with no agreement on further rounds. [ 9 , 16 ]
Meduza noted that US midterm elections are due on 3 November and that analysts believe Trump's recent actions, such as the 'diesel deal' with Russia, are driven mainly by a wish to raise his falling ratings. TASS reported that the UN welcomed the plans to resume trilateral talks and said the organisation is ready to support efforts to achieve peace. [ 10 , 22 ]
Why it matters
If held, the round would resume trilateral talks that Ushakov said in May had been suspended. Ushakov also said the proposals Witkoff agreed in Oslo contained little that was useful, so the documents leave open how far the sides are from agreement.
Key facts
- Putin told Witkoff that Russia is in principle ready to resume trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine talks in the 10s of November, Ushakov told journalists. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Ushakov said the talks would be on the main topic, building a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the end of the conflict. [ 4 , 7 , 10 ]
- Ushakov said the next round could take place in Abu Dhabi in the 10s of November, an option discussed at the Putin-Witkoff meeting. [ 11 , 12 , 15 ]
- Ushakov said Putin will decide who goes to the talks. [ 17 , 18 , 21 ]
- Ushakov said the Oslo proposal Witkoff presented contained 'not so much that is useful' for settling the Ukraine crisis. [ 7 , 10 ]
- Vedomosti reported that Witkoff thanked Putin on behalf of US President Donald Trump for the 'diesel deal'. [ 9 ]
- The UN welcomed the plans to resume trilateral talks, TASS reported. [ 22 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Putin informed Witkoff that Russia is in principle ready to resume trilateral talks with the US and Ukraine in the 10s of November, according to Ushakov, as reported by TASS, RIA Novosti, Interfax, Kommersant, Vedomosti and Meduza. [ 1 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 9 , 10 ]
- The meeting took place in St Petersburg on 21 October. [ 9 , 10 , 12 ]
- Ushakov said the next round could be held in Abu Dhabi. [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 19 ]
- Ushakov said Putin will determine the Russian delegation. [ 17 , 18 , 21 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the talks will actually take place in the 10s of November. Ushakov said Russia is ready 'in principle' and that Abu Dhabi 'may' host the round; the documents give no confirmation from the US or Ukraine.
- Length of the meeting. Vedomosti said the talks lasted more than three hours, while TASS quoted Ushakov as saying they lasted almost three hours.
- Who will attend the talks and at what level. Ushakov said Putin will decide the delegation; a TASS headline says the Abu Dhabi talks are planned at expert level, but the article text is not available.
- Content of the Oslo proposals. The documents say Witkoff agreed a comprehensive proposal with EU and Ukrainian representatives in Oslo, but do not describe its terms; Ushakov called it of little use.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS first publishes Ushakov's statement that Putin told Witkoff Russia is ready for trilateral talks in the 10s of November. [ 1 ]
- Interfax carries Ushakov's quotes on the main topic of the talks and Witkoff's remark that Trump would welcome the decision. [ 4 ]
- Interfax reports Ushakov saying the next round may be held in Abu Dhabi in the 10s of November. [ 11 ]
- TASS reports Ushakov saying Putin will decide who goes to the talks. [ 17 ]
- TASS reports that the Abu Dhabi talks are planned at expert level. [ 20 ]
- TASS reports the UN welcoming the plans to resume trilateral talks. [ 22 ]