Both sides of the Ukraine war are now publicly behind the same diplomatic table. After nearly a full day of shuttle diplomacy on Wednesday, October 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin told US special envoy Steve Witkoff that Moscow is "in principle" ready to resume three-way talks with Washington and Kyiv — and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed hours later that Kyiv supports the American proposal, pushing for talks "no later than early November." (This article follows our earlier coverage of the St. Petersburg meeting itself, where Putin floated a Trump meeting in China.)
It would be the first Russia-US-Ukraine round since February. Agreeing to talk, though, is not agreeing on anything else.
Zelenskyy Backs Three-Way Ukraine Talks "No Later Than Early November"
Zelenskyy made Kyiv's position public as he travelled back from Norway on Wednesday, speaking to journalists over WhatsApp. He said he had spoken with US officials after Witkoff's St. Petersburg session with Putin — and that the feedback from Moscow was encouraging.
"We have received feedback that… Russia supports a trilateral meeting at the level of our (negotiating) teams," Zelenskyy said. He added that Washington wants the meeting as soon as possible and that Ukraine fully supports that push, hoping for talks no later than early November.
Kyiv's brief is broad: Zelenskyy said Ukraine backs "any proposals for a ceasefire, an end to the war, an energy ceasefire as well as humanitarian initiatives."
Putin Agreed "In Principle" After the St. Petersburg Meeting
The Kremlin side came first. Following Wednesday's roughly three-hour meeting at St. Petersburg's Constantine Palace — the ninth time Witkoff has sat down with Putin in person — Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters the Russian leader had agreed "in principle" to restart the negotiations.
On timing, Moscow's language was a little looser than Kyiv's. Per the Associated Press, Ushakov said Putin had agreed "in principle" to resume the talks after Nov. 10 — while he later told Russian state television that mid-November was possible, with Abu Dhabi named as a possible venue, per Al Jazeera. The format would be at a technical, negotiator level — not a leaders' summit — and the agenda, Ushakov said, would centre on "building a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends."
How Wednesday Unfolded in St. Petersburg
It began with a goodwill gesture — Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher held in Russia, after Trump asked Putin to free him, per Witkoff.
Then came the substance: Witkoff briefed Putin on Tuesday's Oslo session with Zelenskyy and European leaders, calling it full of "some degree of momentum" — though Moscow was unimpressed. The agenda also widened: Putin said he would consider restoring US-Russia economic ties, Witkoff thanked him for Russian diesel shipments after Trump lifted a ban, and Putin offered help on the US-Iran standoff plus large fertiliser supplies. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner joined by video link.
The Last Round Produced Only Prisoner Exchanges
History here is a warning. The three sides held three rounds of US-mediated talks earlier this year — twice in Abu Dhabi in January and February, then in Geneva in February, per the Associated Press — and got little beyond exchanges of prisoners of war, as Moscow and Kyiv stuck to their basic demands. No round has happened since February.
Why It Matters
Both capitals have now said yes to the same format — negotiator-level, US-mediated, trilateral — for the first time in eight months, with a rough early-to-mid-November date and Abu Dhabi floated as venue. The agenda is widening too: sanctions relief, diesel, fertiliser, Iran and economic cooperation now sit alongside the war. The sceptics' case stands, though — past rounds ended with the front lines unmoved.
What Happens Next
Witkoff was expected to return to Oslo for more consultations with European officials after the Russia trip. Norway's prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, said on Wednesday: "I think we may have entered a phase now where the Russians are also looking for opportunities for diplomacy."
The test over the coming days is simple: do the negotiators actually get named, dated and seated — or does "in principle" stay a phrase? The first sign will be whether a November date in Abu Dhabi firms up.
Key Takeaways
- Putin agreed "in principle" to resume three-way talks with Washington and Kyiv after Wednesday's St. Petersburg meeting with Steve Witkoff, per Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
- Zelenskyy confirmed Kyiv's support the same day, saying talks should happen "no later than early November" at negotiator level.
- Moscow floated a start after Nov. 10 — possibly mid-November — with Abu Dhabi named as a possible venue; the focus would be a post-war "security system" for Russia and Ukraine.
- It would be the first such round since February, when three earlier rounds produced little beyond prisoner exchanges.
- Diplomacy played out against continued fighting: officials on both sides reported deadly overnight strikes in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Russia's Bryansk region.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the three-way Ukraine talks resume?
Nothing is locked in. Zelenskyy wants talks "no later than early November"; the Kremlin's Yuri Ushakov said Putin agreed "in principle" to resume after Nov. 10, with mid-November also mentioned. Watch for a firm date and venue.
Where could the talks take place?
Abu Dhabi is the leading candidate — Ushakov named it on Russian state TV, and it hosted two of this year's three rounds; Geneva hosted the third. Nothing is officially confirmed.
Who will sit at the table?
The format under discussion is trilateral — Russia, the United States and Ukraine — at the level of negotiating teams, not leaders. Zelenskyy has insisted that only a leaders' summit can break the ultimate impasse, but the November round is framed as a negotiators' meeting.
What will the talks actually discuss?
According to Ushakov, the focus would be "building a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends." Zelenskyy says Kyiv supports any proposals for a ceasefire, an end to the war, an energy ceasefire and humanitarian initiatives — including prisoner returns.
Why did the talks stop in February?
The three rounds in January and February 2026 — two in Abu Dhabi, one in Geneva — produced little beyond prisoner-of-war exchanges, with Moscow and Kyiv sticking to their basic demands. The channel then went quiet for eight months as fighting continued and US diplomacy stalled.
Is a ceasefire close?
No. Witkoff spoke of "some degree of momentum," but both armies still trade long-range strikes daily and past rounds produced nothing. Agreement to negotiate is a step — not a settlement.
By GlobalDeskNews Staff
Sources
- Associated Press (via The Korea Times), Oct 21, 2026 — "Putin agrees to resume 3-way talks with Kyiv and Washington": koreatimes.co.kr
- Reuters, Oct 21, 2026 — "Ukraine's Zelenskiy hopes for new talks with Russia, US by early November": reuters.com
- Al Jazeera, Oct 21, 2026 — "Putin and Zelenskyy back three-way US peace talks on Ukraine": aljazeera.com
- TRT World (Reuters), Oct 21, 2026 — "Russia ready to resume trilateral Ukraine talks in November: Kremlin": trtworld.com
Related on GlobalDeskNews: Putin Suggests Trump Meeting in China at Witkoff Talks · Witkoff Arrives in St. Petersburg for Putin Talks on Ukraine · Trump Backs Putin-Xi Trilateral Meeting on Denuclearization