Putin tells US he is ready to resume trilateral talks for 'final peace' and Russia's security

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow has informed the US of its readiness to resume trilateral talks, which he said aim to achieve "final peace and ensure Russia's security." He made the statement on Thursday, October 22, in an interview with Pavel Zarubin. Putin reiterated his refusal to return occupied Ukrainian territories and again called Ukrainians and Russians "one people," citing alleged genetic research. He also referenced a so-called independence vote in occupied Ukrainian territory, whose results neither Ukraine nor the international community recognized. On October 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo, who then traveled to St. Petersburg. Zelensky said Kyiv is ready for a peace deal freezing hostilities along the current front line, while Witkoff brought documents outlining approaches to ending the war.