Putin Greenlights Return to Three-Way Ukraine Peace Talks

The three-hour duration of the recent summit in St. Petersburg has marked a significant turning point in the conflict, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed in principle to restart three-way negotiations with the United States and Ukraine. This decision, communicated by Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, sets the stage for the first such diplomatic engagement since February, potentially breaking a long period of stalled progress.

The primary focus of the upcoming discussions, which are scheduled to begin after November 10, will be the construction of a comprehensive security system for both nations following the end of the conflict. Ushakov indicated that while Moscow is not entirely satisfied with the proposals that emerged from the recent Oslo meeting, the current trajectory is a step in the right direction. The Kremlin characterized the Oslo outcomes as containing little of real value for resolving the crisis, yet the agreement to proceed suggests a willingness to find common ground.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who met with Putin at the Constantine Palace, played a central role in brokering this agreement. Joining the discussion via video link was Jared Kushner, the President's son-in-law. According to a U.S. official familiar with the private talks, Witkoff and Kushner proposed a technical-level meeting among the three nations and shared progress from their previous day's consultation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The agenda also included a postwar economic plan and discussions on European security.

Contextualizing these developments, the Trump administration has intensified pressure on Kyiv to reach a deal, with President Donald Trump stating in the Oval Office that the United States has given much to Ukraine but received little in return. This diplomatic push coincides with ongoing military hostilities; overnight Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities killed five people and wounded at least 23 others, with energy infrastructure in four cities targeted. Zelenskyy, who supported the rapid resumption of talks, noted that Kyiv is once again receiving early missile warnings from partners, a sign of restored coordination despite recent tensions.

Outlook for the next phase of diplomacy remains cautious but active. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who met with Witkoff in Oslo after the St. Petersburg visit, suggested the region may be entering a new diplomatic phase where Russia is actively seeking opportunities for engagement. He anticipates the new talks will occur in mid-November. Additionally, Putin expressed readiness to discuss restoring U.S.-Russia economic ties and a potential trilateral meeting with Chinese leaders at an economic summit in China. The Kremlin also released a retired American teacher, a move Witkoff described as a goodwill gesture, further signaling a shift in the diplomatic tone.