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Source: Newsmaker.id
Efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war have shown new progress after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a plan to resume peace negotiations mediated by the United States. A trilateral meeting involving Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. could potentially take place in November 2026, with Abu Dhabi being considered as a possible venue.
The agreement was announced by the Kremlin following a meeting between Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday (October 21). The meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, is part of Washington’s latest push to resolve a conflict that has now persisted for nearly four years.
The Kremlin stated that the upcoming talks will be conducted at a technical level, focusing on mechanisms to ensure the security of both Russia and Ukraine once the war concludes. These discussions could begin on or after November 10, 2026. However, Moscow emphasized that several differences remain to be resolved before the process can yield a concrete agreement.
Witkoff conveyed to Putin that previous discussions in Oslo had generated some momentum, with Ukraine reportedly bringing forward new ideas and proposals to end the war. Nevertheless, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov noted that some outcomes from those discussions did not fully align with Russia’s interests.
Pressure on Kyiv is also mounting. U.S. President Donald Trump has previously stated that Ukraine needs to end the war promptly, warning of serious consequences should an agreement fail to be reached. Trump has also suggested that the peace process should not focus exclusively on Ukraine’s interests.
Meanwhile, Russia’s position in the negotiations remains largely unchanged. Moscow continues to seek full control over the Donetsk region, opposes any possibility of Ukraine joining NATO, and advocates for a comprehensive peace agreement rather than a mere temporary ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed his hope to address key issues during a trilateral meeting with Putin and Trump. However, the Kremlin maintains that a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy must be thoroughly prepared to ensure it yields tangible progress.
Amidst these developments, relations between Washington and Kyiv have encountered several issues. Ukraine has previously raised concerns regarding disruptions in the sharing of intelligence and access to satellite communication systems used to support its military operations.
Beyond the situation involving Ukraine, Putin also used his meeting with Witkoff to propose cooperation between Russia and the U.S. regarding Iran. The Kremlin stated that Putin is prepared to leverage Russia’s ties with Tehran to assist Washington in addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and to create opportunities for reaching an agreement.
Putin also offered to supply large quantities of Russian fertilizer to support the U.S. agricultural sector. Both sides discussed several joint economic projects, which the Kremlin indicated are nearing the implementation stage.
A potential meeting between Putin, Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November was also part of the discussions. Should it take place, the meeting would mark the first trilateral format for the three leaders, with the potential to address issues concerning trade, security, and geopolitical relations.
These latest developments suggest that the path for Russia-Ukraine diplomacy is beginning to reopen, though a peace agreement remains far from finalized. Divergent demands between Moscow and Kyiv, political pressure from Washington, and questions surrounding military support will be the decisive factors in determining whether the current momentum in negotiations can lead to a genuine breakthrough. (srh)
Source: Newsmaker.id