Russia signals readiness for Ukraine peace talks with US in mid-November

Russia signaled readiness to resume Ukraine peace talks with the US in mid-November, as President Vladimir Putin told US envoy Steve Witkoff that Moscow agrees in principle to renewed negotiations. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the talks should focus on post-war security arrangements for Russia and Ukraine. Ushakov added that a possible first-ever meeting of Chinese, Russian, and US leaders is being prepared for the Asia-Pacific summit in Shenzhen next month. Witkoff briefed Putin on his Oslo talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, noting new European and Kyiv approaches but little useful content. The two also discussed Russian diesel supplies under an October 9 deal. Separately, Zelensky called for freezing the front line as a first step toward ceasefire talks, stressing Ukraine must be included in negotiations and that any peace deal requires security guarantees from the US and European allies. Russia also announced upcoming diesel shipments to the US and the release of a US citizen held since the war began.