Putin agrees to new talks on Ukraine
Moscow wants to discuss the war with Kyiv and Washington again after 10 November.
Follow-up to: Putin proposes meeting with Trump; Xi’s participation uncertain Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 14:11
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to resume talks with Ukraine and the United States, according to the Kremlin. The talks could begin after 10 November, but there is not yet a date or agreement on the conditions.
The commitment came on Wednesday after a meeting in St Petersburg between Putin and Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov then said that Russia was in principle prepared for a new round of trilateral negotiations.
According to Ushakov, the talks should address a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the end of the war. He said Witkoff had briefed Putin on discussions he held a day earlier in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.
The new announcement follows earlier diplomatic efforts. According to the Associated Press, representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the United States held several rounds of talks in Abu Dhabi and Geneva earlier this year. Those talks produced little apart from exchanges of prisoners of war, according to the Associated Press; the agency said Moscow’s and Kyiv’s fundamental demands remained opposed.
The Kremlin speaks of agreement ‘in principle’. It is therefore still unclear whether the talks will actually take place, who exactly will attend and which subjects will be agreed in advance. It is also not known whether Ukraine accepts the proposed format. Zelensky has previously said that only a meeting at the highest political level can break the deadlock.
The announcement coincides with renewed American pressure on Kyiv to reach an agreement. At the same time, Russia and Ukraine continue to attack each other on the battlefield. The Associated Press reported on Wednesday that both countries were continuing long-range attacks, meaning the diplomatic opening does not amount to a ceasefire.
For the Netherlands and Europe, the main question is what role European countries would play in any follow-up. The reports available refer to European discussions in Oslo, but provide no indication that European governments will be part of the new trilateral talks. Until there is a concrete agenda, date and agreement from Kyiv, this remains an announced possibility rather than a peace process with a fixed outcome.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The Kremlin reported on 21 October that Russia was in principle prepared to resume talks with Ukraine and the United States.
- A possible new round could take place after 10 November.
- No confirmed peace agreement, ceasefire or agreement from Ukraine has yet been reported.
- According to the Associated Press, earlier talks produced little progress beyond exchanges of prisoners of war.
Left
Arguments This approach emphasises that negotiations are credible only if Ukraine itself determines the conditions and Russia is not rewarded for military pressure. European countries should play a strong role in security guarantees and reconstruction.
Values International law, protection of the attacked population, democratic accountability and distrust of power politics.
Consequences From this perspective, an agreement reached too quickly could lead to a fragile peace and set a precedent in which border changes achieved through force are rewarded. Continued support for Ukraine therefore remains necessary, in this view.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach sees a resumption of talks as useful, provided expectations remain limited and dialogue is linked to verifiable steps such as a ceasefire, prisoner exchange and clear security arrangements.
Values Diplomacy, feasibility, European involvement and protection of civilians without fixing a single outcome in advance.
Consequences Talks can limit escalation and provide information, but without agreement on security and territory, the risk remains high that they will mainly buy time.
Right
Arguments This perspective emphasises that a lasting solution depends not only on Ukrainian and Russian concessions, but also on American pressure and a realistic assessment of what can be enforced militarily. European countries should organise their defence more effectively.
Values National security, deterrence, responsibility and restraint regarding long-term foreign commitments.
Consequences An agreement without credible enforcement could trigger new attacks. At the same time, from this perspective, prolonging the war indefinitely could increase the risks to Europe, including escalation and higher defence costs.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The main claim and the key context have been confirmed by the Associated Press and Reuters. Uncertainties over Ukraine’s agreement and implementation are explicitly presented as uncertain.
- confirmed According to the Kremlin, Putin has agreed to resume trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States. — Reported by the Associated Press and Reuters on 21 October 2026. source
- confirmed The talks could begin after 10 November. — According to the Associated Press and Reuters, the Kremlin spoke of a resumption after 10 November. source
- confirmed The talks would concern security after the end of the war. — This subject was raised by Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov and reported by both sources. source
- confirmed According to the Associated Press, earlier talks in Abu Dhabi and Geneva produced little apart from exchanges of prisoners of war. — The Associated Press describes earlier rounds of negotiations and their limited result. source
- confirmed There is still no clarity over Ukraine’s agreement, the participants or the concrete outcome. — The sources consulted report no such agreements; the wording is presented as uncertainty and missing information. source
Editor's note
It is certain that a Kremlin adviser said on 21 October that Putin in principle agreed to resume trilateral talks after 10 November. Ukraine’s agreement, the precise date, participants and concrete results remain unknown; the core information comes from a Russian source and was reported by the Associated Press and Reuters.Sources
- Putin agrees to resume trilateral talks on Ukraine war with Kyiv and Washington, Kremlin says — Associated Press
- Russia is willing in principle to join new Ukraine peace talks in November, Kremlin says — Reuters via Internazionale
The story so far
- Tuesday, 20 October 2026, 22:12 Zelensky wants seat at possible summit talks
- Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 14:11 Putin proposes meeting with Trump; Xi’s participation uncertain
- Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 17:29 Putin agrees to new talks on Ukraine (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- NU.nl — „oekraïne rusland”
- De Telegraaf — „oekraïne rusland”
- AD — „oekraïne rusland”