Ukraine War Diplomacy Rehearsal: Three-Way Talks Return in November

For the millions of people affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, this week brings a subtle but significant shift in the diplomatic landscape. Russia has formally agreed to resume three-way negotiations with the United States and Ukraine. These talks are scheduled to begin after November 10, marking the first such engagement since February. While the fighting continues, this move suggests that the major powers are attempting to find a structured path toward ending the war, offering a glimmer of hope that the current stalemate might be breaking.

The decision was confirmed by Yuri Ushakov, a foreign affairs adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ushakov stated that Putin agreed to the talks in principle following a meeting in St. Petersburg with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The primary goal of these discussions is to build a security framework for both Russia and Ukraine once the conflict concludes. This follows a period of stalled efforts, where previous rounds of talks in Abu Dhabi and Geneva yielded little progress beyond prisoner exchanges. The new sessions will focus on technical details rather than high-level political posturing.

U.S. President Donald Trump has been pushing hard for a deal, telling reporters that he wants Zelenskyy to make a concession. He expressed frustration with the current situation, noting the significant resources given to Ukraine. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced support for the swift restart of talks. He emphasized that the agenda is clear: to end the war and prepare for a meeting between the leaders. However, he remained cautious, noting that Russia has canceled meetings before and that the outcome remains uncertain.

Despite the diplomatic momentum, the war on the ground remains intense. Just hours after Zelenskyy issued his supportive message, missile alerts sounded in Kyiv, accompanied by loud explosions. Russian strikes over the weekend killed five people and wounded at least 23 others. Energy facilities in Kyiv and three other cities were targeted, and a drone attack near Kharkiv also caused casualties. These recent attacks highlight the high stakes and the fragility of any peace process while hostilities continue.

There are still open questions about whether this new phase will succeed. The Kremlin described proposals from a recent meeting in Oslo as having little real value, though Ushakov later called them a step in the right direction. The St. Petersburg meeting between Putin and Witkoff lasted about three hours, with Jared Kushner participating via video. They discussed postwar economic plans and European security. Additionally, Putin signaled openness to restoring economic ties with the U.S. and discussed a potential trilateral meeting with China later next month.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre suggested that the region may have entered a new phase where Russia is actively seeking diplomatic opportunities. He indicated that the talks are likely to take place in mid-November. While the exact format and location have not been fully detailed, the agreement to meet is a critical first step. For now, the world waits to see if these technical discussions can translate into a lasting peace or if they will join the list of previous attempts that failed to stop the fighting.