Putin agrees in principle to resume three-way Russia-Ukraine-U.S. peace talks next month

Summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed in principle to resume trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States next month, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. Ushakov spoke to reporters after Putin met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on Wednesday, October 21. Reports differ on timing: PBS NewsHour said the talks would resume after Nov. 10, while France 24 reported the Kremlin said Moscow is ready to resume them in mid-November. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine supported a US proposal for three-way talks at the negotiator level, to be held as soon as possible and preferably no later than early November. NDTV reported that Putin and Witkoff also discussed implementing an October 9 deal between Putin and Trump. US President Donald Trump said the world is the closest it has been to ending the war, according to BBC News. Chatham House's Gregoire Roos told France 24 that it is not clear whether Putin would meet Trump and Zelensky.

Timeline

1. PBS NewsHour

   21 Oct 2026, 13:56 UTCSource ↗

   PBS NewsHour reports that Putin agreed to resume trilateral negotiations with Washington and Kyiv after Nov. 10, according to Ushakov, who spoke after Putin's meeting with Witkoff in St. Petersburg.

2. The Straits Times

   21 Oct 2026, 14:06 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Putin told Witkoff on Wednesday that Moscow is willing in principle to resume talks next month with Ukraine and the U.S., according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.

3. France 24

   21 Oct 2026, 15:51 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that the Kremlin said Wednesday Moscow is ready to resume trilateral U.S.-Ukraine-Russia talks next month, after Putin met with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Russia.

4. NDTV

   21 Oct 2026, 18:50 UTCSource ↗

   NDTV reports that Putin told the US envoy Witkoff Russia is willing to resume Ukraine peace talks next month, and that the two also discussed implementing an October 9 deal between Putin and Trump.

5. Al Jazeera

   21 Oct 2026, 19:01 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that Putin has signalled Moscow is willing in principle to resume talks with Ukraine and the US after Witkoff's visit.

6. France 24

   21 Oct 2026, 19:32 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Zelenskiy said Ukraine supported a US proposal for three-way negotiator-level talks as soon as possible, preferably no later than early November, and that Chatham House's Gregoire Roos said it is not clear Putin would meet Trump and Zelensky.

7. BBC

   21 Oct 2026, 21:27 UTCSource ↗

   BBC News reports that Russia says it is ready in principle to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the US, and that Trump says the world is the closest it has been to ending the war.