By George Omagbemi
Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed in principle to resume US-mediated peace talks with Ukraine next month, following a meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg.
Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov announced the development on Wednesday, saying the proposed negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States could resume after November 10.
According to Ushakov, the discussions would focus on establishing a post-war security framework for Russia and Ukraine as Washington intensifies efforts to end the conflict.
Witkoff’s meeting with Putin lasted approximately three hours and followed diplomatic discussions in Oslo, Norway, involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.
The US envoy reportedly briefed Putin on proposals discussed during the Oslo meeting, with Washington seeking a pathway towards renewed negotiations involving all three countries. However, no final agreement to end the war was announced.
Key disagreements remain. Despite the renewed diplomatic push, significant differences remain between Moscow and Kyiv. Russia continues to demand control over territory in eastern Ukraine and opposes Ukraine joining NATO, while Kyiv has called for a ceasefire and security guarantees against future Russian aggression.
The earlier rounds of trilateral negotiations held in Abu Dhabi and Geneva this year produced limited progress, mainly involving prisoner exchanges.
The latest development comes as US President Donald Trump increases pressure on both sides to reach a settlement, although Ukraine has expressed concerns about the terms of a potential agreement.
The proposed November talks could provide another opportunity for diplomatic engagement, but their outcome remains uncertain as fighting and attacks continue.
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