Putin agrees to resume US-mediated peace talks with Ukraine
The Kremlin says talks could resume in November after Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff, as Russia released American Stephen Hubbard.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed in principle to resume U.S.-mediated peace talks with Ukraine following a meeting with American envoy Steve Witkoff.
- The proposed negotiations, potentially starting in Abu Dhabi on or after November 10, would focus on establishing post-war security arrangements for both nations.
- Russia's key demands for a comprehensive peace settlement include control over all of Donetsk and a guarantee that Ukraine will not join NATO.
- As a goodwill gesture accompanying the diplomatic discussions, Russia released a retired American teacher whose freedom had been requested by the U.S.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed in principle to restart peace negotiations with Ukraine and the United States, the Kremlin said following his meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on October 21, 2026.
The proposed talks would involve technical teams examining security arrangements for Russia and Ukraine after the war. The Kremlin suggested Abu Dhabi as a possible venue, with negotiations potentially beginning on or after November 10.
New proposals face Russian reservations
Witkoff’s visit followed discussions in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the leaders of Norway and Finland, and European and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) representatives. Those discussions addressed Ukraine’s security and plans for economic recovery after the war.
“These nuances, so to speak, do not entirely satisfy us,” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said of the proposals discussed in Oslo.
Putin’s demands include control of all Donetsk, no NATO membership for Ukraine and a comprehensive peace settlement rather than a temporary ceasefire.
US teacher freed as wider cooperation discussed
Russia also released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher whose freedom US President Donald Trump had requested. His release accompanied the diplomatic exchanges as a goodwill gesture.
The discussions extended to economic cooperation, with Putin offering fertiliser supplies and assistance in addressing US concerns about Iran. A possible meeting in China involving Putin, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping was also raised.
US-Ukraine tensions persist
The diplomatic effort comes amid friction over Washington’s diesel agreement with Russia and Ukrainian complaints about disruptions to intelligence-sharing and military satellite access.
Zelenskiy said the Oslo meeting produced an agreement to resolve those difficulties. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that Washington had restricted Ukraine’s access to Starlink.
