Putin agrees to resume US-mediated peace talks with Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to resume US-mediated peace talks with Ukraine as soon as next month, the Kremlin said Wednesday, following his meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg. The technical-level negotiations, potentially held in Abu Dhabi on or after November 10, would focus on post-war security guarantees for both nations. The meeting included Russia's release of US teacher Stephen Hubbard as a goodwill gesture, though Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov expressed dissatisfaction with recent talks in Oslo involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Putin also offered to help with Iran and discussed a potential trilateral meeting with Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Ukraine and Russia remain far apart on terms, with Putin maintaining demands for full control of Donetsk and no NATO membership for Kyiv.