Russia agreed in principle on October 21 to resume talks with Ukraine and the United States in November, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said after President Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg. According to AP, Ushakov said discussions would address security arrangements for Russia and Ukraine after the war.
Witkoff subsequently said the discussions would continue in a three-way format at the technical level, Ukrinform reported, citing his statement on X. He described the meetings as constructive but said substantial work remained. His statement concerned a negotiating process, rather than an agreement ending hostilities or settling the terms of peace.
The visit followed October 20 consultations in Oslo. Ukraine's presidency confirmed that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and the American side, with Jared Kushner joining online. Witkoff said his meeting with Putin built on the Oslo discussions and addressed a framework for peace.
Russia also released American Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher held since 2022, Reuters reported. Putin announced the decision during the meeting, and spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it followed President Donald Trump's request and took account of Hubbard's poor health. Hubbard was taken to Pulkovo airport for his return to the United States; Witkoff thanked Putin for the release.
The timing remains provisional: Ukrinform reported Ushakov proposing talks around November 10, while AP described his position as after that date. AP also reported that Zelenskyy supported Washington's effort to restart negotiations swiftly. The announced next step is technical dialogue among the three countries; Witkoff said further work was necessary to achieve a comprehensive, lasting peace.
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