Putin tells Witkoff Russia ready in principle to resume talks, frees American

· Politics · Russia · Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin told US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on Oct 21 that Moscow is willing in principle to resume talks with Ukraine and the United States next month, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said. During the meeting Putin ordered the release of Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired US schoolteacher convicted of mercenary activity in a closed-door trial over fighting in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv supports a US proposal for three-way talks at negotiator level, preferably no later than early November. The Kremlin said it saw little substance in the peace ideas, and the BBC's Russia editor said Putin feels no pressure to end the war.

Why it matters：The first high-level contact in months produced a prisoner release but little movement on the war, and any three-way format would reshape how Kyiv's allies approach a settlement.

Key points

  • Russia said it is ready in principle for talks next month.
  • Hubbard, 74, was convicted of mercenary activity in a closed-door trial.
  • Zelensky wants negotiator-level talks no later than early November.

Sources (original reporting)

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