Missiles hit Kyiv after Russia agrees to resume peace talks; Zelensky open to ceasefire

Trump envoy Witkoff meets Putin and Zelensky, with Kushner joining by video link, but attacks continue

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Updated22 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Sources2 outlets

Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv hours after saying it was "ready in principle" to resume peace talks, wounding six people. The strike came as US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg after meeting Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo, with Jared Kushner participating via video link and Trump claiming the world is "the closest we've been" to ending the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would accept a deal freezing the conflict along the current front line.

A fresh round of Russian missile strikes hit Ukraine's capital on Wednesday evening, damaging several houses and injuring six people, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said. The attack followed a day of diplomatic activity in which the Kremlin signalled openness to resuming US-brokered peace talks.

Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg for about three hours on Wednesday, a day after he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner participated via video link. Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov described the ideas discussed as not very "useful" but suggested a new round could be held around 10 November in Abu Dhabi, focusing on building a security system for both countries after the conflict.

Speaking after the Oslo talks, Zelensky said "strong" security guarantees and an energy ceasefire had been discussed. In an interview with Fox News, he said he would accept a deal that freezes the war along the current front line. "We call it 'ceasefire' or 'stop killings' like President Trump called it. Freeze and stop," he said, adding that security guarantees could be discussed later.

Witkoff called the talks "constructive", while Kushner said "there is still hard work ahead, but we have a real opportunity to move beyond this war." Trump said he had been speaking to Putin and believes the two sides are moving closer to a settlement.

The diplomatic push has been complicated by a growing row between Kyiv and Washington. Ukraine accused the US of withholding critical intelligence on incoming Russian ballistic missile attacks, which Kyiv said resulted in civilian deaths. Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected the accusation as "scandalous", and Zelensky said intelligence sharing "works now". Ukraine's military also complained of speed restrictions on Starlink that hampered drone operations, though US officials denied requesting a slowdown.

Earlier on Wednesday, Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old US citizen jailed for nearly seven years for allegedly fighting for Ukraine. Trump said the former teacher was "on his way back home" with no swap required. Witkoff called Putin a "humanitarian" for agreeing to the release, a remark Vice-President JD Vance defended as part of a diplomat's job.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The attack on Kyiv shows that Russian strikes continue even as diplomatic channels reopen, underscoring the fragility of any near-term ceasefire.
Zelensky's public willingness to freeze the front line marks a significant shift in Ukraine's negotiating stance after months of insisting on full territorial restoration.
The dispute over intelligence sharing and Starlink restrictions threatens the US-Ukraine partnership at a critical moment.

Background

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory. Three-way talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US were paused in February 2026, after which Russia stepped up attacks as Ukraine ran low on Western-supplied air defence interceptors. Trump's envoys have been trying to restart negotiations, with previous rounds failing to achieve a breakthrough.

Key Perspectives

Russia: Vladimir Putin maintains that Russian forces hold the "strategic initiative" along the front. Moscow insists any talks must construct a new security framework for both countries after the conflict ends, and has described some US ideas as unhelpful. Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky has signalled a new openness to freezing the conflict along current lines, calling it a ceasefire, while still demanding strong security guarantees for the future. He has also pushed back against what Kyiv sees as US pressure and criticised the lifting of sanctions on Russia. United States: The Trump administration is optimistic, with the president claiming the sides are as close as ever to peace. Envoys are pursuing shuttle diplomacy, but the White House faces criticism from Democrats and some Republicans over sanctions relief and intelligence-sharing disputes. European Allies: European nations have supported Ukraine's position and criticised Trump's moves to ease Russian sanctions.

What to Watch

Whether a new round of talks takes place in Abu Dhabi around 10 November as suggested by Russia.
The status of US intelligence sharing and Starlink performance for Ukrainian forces over the coming days.
Further missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other cities as a signal of Russia's willingness to de-escalate during negotiations.

Sources

Checked

10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 5 supported.

Show each claim

Partly supportedRussia agreed to resume peace talks.BBC News: “Ukraine's capital has come under a new missile attack, hours after Russia said it was "ready in principle" to resume peace talks”
SupportedZelensky was open to a ceasefire.BBC News: “On Wednesday, Zelensky said he would accept a deal that would freeze the war along the current front line. "We call it 'ceasefire' or 'stop killings' like President Trump called it. Freeze and stop.”
SupportedRussia launched a missile attack on Kyiv hours after saying it was ready in principle to resume peace talks, wounding six people.BBC News: “Several houses were hit on Wednesday night, injuring six people, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said.”
SupportedTrump said the world was “the closest we've been” to ending the war.BBC News: “Ukraine's capital has come under a new missile attack, hours after Russia said it was "ready in principle" to resume peace talks and the US president said the world was "the closest we've been" to ending the war.”
SupportedWitkoff met Putin in St Petersburg after meeting Zelensky in Oslo.BBC News: “Witkoff met Russia's President Vladimir Putin in the city of St Petersburg on Wednesday - a day after meeting Ukraine's leader.”
SupportedKushner participated in the talks via video link.BBC News: “Kushner, who was participating via a video link, said:”
Not in the sourcesKushner is Trump's son-in-law.
Partly supportedZelensky said strong security guarantees and an energy ceasefire had been discussed.BBC News: “Zelensky said after the talks that "strong" security guarantees for Ukraine and energy ceasefire proposals had been discussed.”
Partly supportedKushner said, “there is still hard work ahead, but we have a real opportunity to move beyond this war.”BBC News: “Kushner, who was participating via a video link, said: "There is still hard work ahead, but we have a real opportunity to move beyond this war and build a framework for lasting peace, security, and prosperity for generations to come."”
Partly supportedHubbard was jailed for nearly seven years for allegedly fighting for Ukraine.BBC News: “Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American citizen who had been given a jail sentence of nearly seven years for allegedly fighting on behalf of Ukraine.”

Correction

22 October 2026An earlier version of this story said Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner shuttled between Moscow and Kyiv. Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg after meeting Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo. Kushner participated via video link.