Russia willing to resume trilateral talks with Ukraine – Moscow
Russia is ready to resume three-way negotiations with the US and Ukraine to discuss security arrangements for when the conflict has ended, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov has said.
The announcement followed nearly three hours of talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff at Constantine Palace in St. Petersburg on Wednesday. Jared Kushner joined by video link after illness prevented him from traveling.
Ushakov said Putin told Witkoff that Moscow was “in principle, ready to resume” trilateral negotiations in mid-November, with the main topic being a post-conflict security system for Russia and Ukraine. Witkoff indicated that Trump would welcome the proposal, the aide added.
The presidential aide noted that earlier attempts to restart trilateral talks were derailed by Kiev having carried out massive attacks on Moscow and other cities during Russia’s recent parliamentary elections. Polling stations were targeted on the main voting day, with election commission personnel killed.
However, the situation has since been “re-evaluated, taking into account the signals received from the Americans,” Ushakov said, adding that Putin had praised the mediation efforts of Trump, his administration, and special representatives in seeking mutually acceptable solutions.
The Russian president also presented an “objective picture of the situation along the line of contact, where Russian troops hold complete strategic initiative,” and noted that Moscow’s forces are conducting a “relentless offensive in all key areas” and effectively destroying military-industrial, energy, and logistics facilities in Ukraine.
Beyond Ukraine, the participants discussed the October diesel agreement, under which Washington eased sanctions on Russian fuel exports. Both sides said the deal served their interests and would help stabilize global fuel markets. Other joint economic projects are also approaching implementation, Ushakov added.
Russia, Ukraine and the US last held talks in Geneva in February, following two rounds in Abu Dhabi. Further negotiations, however, were put on hold after the US and Israel launched their war against Iran, disrupting access to the UAE.
Ushakov told Russian media that Abu Dhabi was again being examined as a possible venue for renewed talks, noting that Putin has yet to choose the members of a future Russian delegation.
Asked by reporters whether the Ukraine conflict was approaching its end, Ushakov suggested it is “moving in that direction.”
