Russia agrees to resume three-way talks on Ukraine war

Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to resume three-way negotiations next month with Washington and Kyiv aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, a Kremlin official said, potentially setting up the first such talks since February. This, following a meeting in St. Petersburg between Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump heralded Moscow's move to free American Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired teacher from Michigan, who had been jailed in Russia for more than four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed "in principle" to resume the talks after November 10, according to his foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov.

He said the talks will focus on "building a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends." Ushakov's comments come following a meeting in St. Petersburg between Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff.

Witkoff's talks with Putin about Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine took place as US President Donald Trump pushed Kyiv to make a deal that stops the fighting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has insisted only a summit of leaders can break the impasse. The two armies remain locked on the battlefield, and the countries pummel each other with daily long-range strikes. Representatives of the three countries held three rounds of negotiations early this year, meeting twice in Abu Dhabi in January and February, followed by further talks in Geneva in February. However, little progress was reported beyond exchanges of prisoners of war as Moscow and Kyiv stuck to their longstanding basic demands.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump hailed Russia's release of American Stephen Hubbard. TRUMP: "And I hear he's in pretty good shape. He went through a lot. I spoke to him this morning. He is the happiest man around. He didn't think this was going to be. This was very surprising to him, but I did it. It really took place on a phone call at the end of last week with President Putin. So, we appreciate it very much."

Russia freed Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired teacher from Michigan, who had been jailed for more than four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, in a deal completed during a visit by a top US envoy and at a time when Trump has taken a series of actions meant to benefit Moscow. Trump did not say whether he'd agree with his envoy Steve Witkoff's description of Putin as "a humanitarian," saying only, "I wouldn't say anything one way or the other you know, we're negotiating with Russia to stop the war with Ukraine."