Moscow has expressed a willingness to resume negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, following a high-level meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg. Senior Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov announced that Russia is ready in principle to return to the bargaining table, suggesting that a new round of talks involving the US, Ukraine, and Russia could take place next month in Abu Dhabi.
The announcement follows a series of diplomatic engagements by US representatives. Before travelling to Russia, Witkoff met in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as well as the leaders of Norway and Finland. According to an unnamed US official, negotiators proposed holding a trilateral meeting at a technical level between the three nations, a framework that was accepted in principle by both Ukrainian officials in Oslo and Russian representatives in St Petersburg.
Diplomatic History and Ongoing Disagreements
Formal discussions aimed at ending the conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 had previously been put on hold. The Kremlin attributed the suspension of earlier talks to heavy Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian territory during its general elections. For several months, Moscow had declined to participate in further dialogue, pointing to its military position on the battlefield as Ukraine faced shortages of air defense interceptors.
Ushakov noted that future dialogue must concentrate on establishing a post-conflict security framework for both Russia and Ukraine. However, significant differences remain regarding the situation on the ground. During the St Petersburg meeting, Putin maintained that Russian forces hold the strategic initiative and are making advances across the front line. That assessment is contested by Ukraine and its European allies, who argue that the military situation remains in a virtual stalemate.
The diplomatic push comes amid reported friction between Washington and Kyiv. US President Donald Trump has publicly questioned Ukraine’s leadership and suggested alternative representatives should negotiate on Ukraine’s behalf. Furthermore, Trump has linked Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries to rising domestic fuel costs ahead of upcoming US midterm elections, while European leaders have voiced concern over recent American statements directed toward Russia.
Source: BBC News
