Moscow and Kyiv open to trilateral talks with US after Witkoff visit

Moscow and Kyiv have signaled openness to trilateral negotiations with the United States, following a proposal delivered by US envoy Steve Witkoff during his visit to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he favors such a meeting "as soon as possible," while Kremlin officials are considering Abu Dhabi as a potential venue. The diplomatic moves come amid continued hostilities, with Russia reporting 56 drones shot down over Moscow and Ukraine reporting a Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv's Dniprovskyi district that injured several people. US President Donald Trump stated the two sides are closer to ending the war than ever before, while European governments are reportedly discussing appointing their own negotiator. In a separate development, Russia announced the first tanker carrying diesel fuel to the United States will depart imminently, with Witkoff praising Moscow's removal of export controls as cooperation. The Washington Post reported that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has not authorized Patriot interceptor transfers to Ukraine, a delay Zelensky has publicly criticized.