Russia and Ukraine Agree to Resume Trilateral Talks with US in November

Russia is ready to resume trilateral negotiations with Ukraine and the United States around November 10, according to the Kremlin, following a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated Kyiv is prepared to freeze the conflict along the current front line to start diplomatic talks. During the three-hour meeting, Witkoff presented documents outlining approaches to resolving the conflict, and discussed a potential Putin-Trump summit in China next month. Putin also announced the release of American citizen Stephen Hubbard, who is being repatriated without any exchange, a move confirmed by President Trump. The announcement comes as both sides continue attacks, with Russian strikes killing civilians in Kyiv and Kharkiv, while Moscow reported intercepting 373 Ukrainian drones overnight. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated Ukraine's surrender is not an option, and EU sanctions on Russia will remain until the war ends.