Russia and Ukraine signal readiness to resume US-led trilateral peace talks, but Moscow criticises Kyiv and European proposals

Summary

Russia and Ukraine have signalled readiness to resume trilateral peace talks with the United States. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters on Wednesday that Russia was "in principle, ready to resume" the talks in mid-November, following a meeting between Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff in Saint Petersburg, and Ukraine quickly backed the proposal. France 24 reported that the Kremlin agreed to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the United States after Witkoff met Putin on Wednesday. Channel NewsAsia reported that Russia nonetheless criticised peace proposals from Kyiv and Europe and saw little "substance" in them.

Timeline

1. Channel NewsAsia

   21 Oct 2026, 17:01 UTCSource ↗

   Channel NewsAsia reports that Russia and Ukraine signalled readiness to resume US-led peace talks after Witkoff's meetings with both countries' leaders, while Russia criticised Kyiv and European peace proposals and saw little "substance" in them.

2. Le Monde

   22 Oct 2026, 03:48 UTCSource ↗

   Le Monde reports that Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Russia was "in principle, ready to resume" trilateral talks with the US in mid-November after a Putin–Witkoff meeting in Saint Petersburg, and that Ukraine quickly backed the proposal.

3. France 24

   22 Oct 2026, 14:19 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that US envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday after the Kremlin agreed to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the United States.