Kremlin: Russia Ready to Resume Ukraine Talks After November 4

Yuri Ushakov, Russian Presidential Aide for International Affairs, expressed on Sunday Moscow's willingness to resume trilateral negotiations with the United States and Ukraine after November 4. However, he lowered expectations regarding the anticipated round, describing it as "preliminary."

Ushakov stated in remarks reported by the Russian news agency TASS that Russia is ready to resume negotiations in the "Russia-US-Ukraine" format following the Russian National Unity Day holiday, which falls on November 4.

He added that the first meeting after resuming talks would not necessarily achieve significant progress, clarifying that "the first meeting will likely be preliminary," and that reaching a peace agreement on Ukraine still requires work from the parties involved.

Ushakov had previously announced, following Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, that Moscow was prepared to resume trilateral negotiations during the second half of November. He noted that the main issue at hand involves establishing a security guarantee system for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends.

Ushakov mentioned that Abu Dhabi might host the next round in mid-November, with talks held at the expert level as in previous rounds, while the composition of the participating Russian delegation has not yet been finalized.

He said Moscow was ready to resume negotiations following the State Duma elections held in September, but accused the Ukrainian side of violating the understanding regarding resuming talks at that time.

Criticism of Washington's stance
In a related context, Ushakov said Russia believed, following the Anchorage summit, that the United States could pressure Kyiv into accepting terms for a peaceful settlement. However, he indicated that Washington has so far failed to exert the necessary pressure to establish peace.

He added that US President Donald Trump's administration recognizes the need to cooperate with Moscow and not ignore Russia, but described the overall political climate in the United States as "highly negative" toward his country.

Ushakov emphasized the necessity of continuing dialogue with the European Union regarding the Ukrainian settlement, arguing that negotiating solely with Kyiv is insufficient and that the position of European countries could be decisive in reaching an agreement.

The Russian official accused European countries of wanting to continue the war, pointing to their support for Ukraine, while considering their role and participation in the conflict a key issue that should be addressed within settlement efforts.

He stated that Moscow views dialogue with Europe as necessary, even amid disagreements over ways to end the conflict.

Ushakov noted that organizational preparations have begun for a trilateral summit bringing together Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for November 18 and 19 in Shenzhen, China.

"No practical steps" for choosing European negotiator
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday that the European Union is not acting constructively regarding the war in Ukraine, having long discussed appointing a negotiator to represent it in efforts aimed at settling the conflict, but "has taken no practical steps in this direction."

Peskov added in remarks to the Russian news agency TASS, commenting on reports about the possible nomination of Finnish President Alexander Stubb for this role, that the EU "either cannot appoint a negotiator or lacks the resolve to proceed with this step," considering that mere talk without action cannot be described as a constructive stance.

The Kremlin spokesman confirmed that Moscow would support the EU's appointment of a negotiator regarding Ukraine, stressing the importance of the envoy being committed to working toward a peaceful settlement.

He said: "It would be good to have a negotiator, and it would be even better if this negotiator were someone genuinely committed to facilitating a peaceful settlement."