Russia signals Nov 10 talks with Ukraine and US, but Putin wants a final peace deal, not a 'short' truce

Russia, Ukraine and the United States are expected to resume trilateral negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday, signalling a possible revival of diplomatic efforts that have remained stalled since the beginning of the year. "The next round of negotiations is planned for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi" and "will take place in a trilateral format", Peskov told reporters. Moscow's announcement followed a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Saint Petersburg this week. The meeting came as US President Donald Trump's administration stepped up efforts to broker an end to the conflict, which is now in its fifth year. Witkoff met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Oslo on Tuesday before holding talks with Putin on Wednesday. Following these engagements, both Moscow and Kyiv indicated their willingness to resume direct negotiations mediated by Washington. Russia has suggested that the talks could take place "around November 10", while Zelensky has called for discussions to restart "as soon as possible". The proposed meeting would bring the three sides back to the negotiating table after months without progress in the trilateral format. However, the precise agenda and the outcome of the planned discussions remain to be seen. In a televised interview aired late Thursday, Putin said negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States should focus on the security arrangements of a final peace agreement rather than a temporary halt in fighting. Putin said the discussions should address the security arrangements of a final peace deal rather than a "short" truce. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, efforts to secure a settlement have faced major obstacles, with the conflict continuing despite repeated diplomatic initiatives. The proposed Abu Dhabi meeting would mark a renewed attempt by Moscow, Kyiv and Washington to explore a negotiated path towards ending the war.