▲ US President Donald Trump (left), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (middle), and Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russia has agreed to resume trilateral negotiations with the United States and Ukraine regarding an end to the war around next month.
If the actual talks take place, it will mark the resumption of trilateral discussions to end the conflict for the first time in about nine months since February.
According to media outlets such as CNN and the Associated Press, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for about three hours in St. Petersburg on the 21st (local time) and discussed matters related to peace negotiations.
Yuri Ushakov, aide to the Russian president for foreign policy, stated that President Putin agreed in principle during the meeting to resume trilateral talks among the US, Russia, and Ukraine after November 10.
Ushakov subsequently said in an interview with the Russian state broadcaster Russia 24 that the trilateral talks could be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He explained that future negotiations would focus on "establishing a security architecture for Russia and Ukraine following the end of the conflict."
However, he did not disclose what specific conditions Russia would demand.
Regarding the peace proposal discussed by European leaders, including the US, Ukraine, and Norway, in Oslo, Norway, the previous day, he dismissed it, stating that "there was little of practical value in the context of resolving the Ukrainian crisis."
Earlier, Special Envoy Witkoff met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders in Oslo to discuss a new peace proposal proposed by Ukraine, which a US official described as having made "meaningful progress."
However, as Russia has drawn a line against these discussions, future negotiations are expected to face continued difficulties.
CNN pointed out that Russia has yet to show signs of backing down from its existing demands, which include the complete cession of the eastern Ukrainian Donbas region, a reduction in the size of the Ukrainian military, and Ukraine's abandonment of its bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
In an audio message released that day, President Zelenskyy stated that he supports the US position pushing for the swift resumption of negotiations.
Zelenskyy emphasized, "The agenda (for the trilateral talks) is clear: to end the war, bring peace closer, and, as I understand it, make all preparations for a summit-level meeting."
This marks a renewed call for a trilateral summit between the US, Russia, and Ukraine, following a similar demand the previous day.
In an interview with US network Fox News, Zelenskyy said he wants a trilateral summit attended by President Trump and President Putin, but added that he believes "it would be better for European countries to also be included" in the actual negotiation process.
Regarding the possibility of a summit meeting among the US, Russia, and China, he also stated, "We have always said that we are ready to negotiate in any format and on any subject," adding, "Please do not talk about us without us."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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