Russia agrees to Ukraine talks but shows little flexibility, Kremlin aide says

New peace push sees Trump envoy shuttle between Oslo and St Petersburg, but Moscow dismisses European and Kyiv proposals as lacking substance

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Updated22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

A fresh diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine has resulted in an agreement from Russia to resume talks, but Moscow's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov has signalled the Kremlin sees little of value in the latest proposals from Kyiv and Europe. Following what Norway's prime minister called 'good and constructive' discussions in Oslo between US President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European representatives, Witkoff travelled to St Petersburg to meet President Vladimir Putin.

In St Petersburg, the response was notably cool. Ushakov, who participated in the talks, said there 'wasn't much there that was useful' in the new approaches from Oslo. 'I don't know how close we are getting,' he told Russian state TV, 'but things are moving in that direction.'

BBC Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg, reporting from Moscow, notes that President Putin does not appear to feel pressure to end the conflict. Ukraine's air defences are under severe strain, winter is approaching, and President Trump has recently paused some sanctions on Moscow and agreed to buy Russian diesel, a shift that eases pressure on the Kremlin.

Russian MP and TV anchor Evgeny Popov welcomed the US posture. 'Right now Trump is the only leader in the Western world who is doing something for peace,' Popov said. When asked if this meant peace on Russia's terms, he replied: 'Of course!'

While a trilateral summit between Putin, Zelensky and Trump is not considered imminent, Russia has agreed to technical-level talks in Abu Dhabi next month. More significantly, a meeting between Putin, Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping may take place on the fringes of the APEC summit in China next month, a gathering some Russian commentators have called 'The New Yalta'.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Russia's dismissive response suggests the war is unlikely to end soon despite renewed diplomatic activity.
President Trump's shifting posture towards Moscow, including pausing sanctions, is altering the strategic calculus in the Kremlin's favour.
The prospect of a 'New Yalta' meeting between the US, Russia and China points to a potential geopolitical restructuring that excludes Kyiv.

Background

The war in Ukraine has been grinding on for nearly five years. The arrival of President Trump in the White House has signalled a shift in US policy, with a greater emphasis on direct US-Russia engagement and pressure on Kyiv to negotiate. The latest peace push, involving Witkoff, aimed to leverage this dynamic.

Key Perspectives

Russia: Views the current proposals as insufficient and prefers a broader settlement that positions Putin as a global power broker, potentially with Trump and Xi. Ukraine and Europe: Welcomed the Oslo talks as a constructive opening, but now face the reality of Russian intransigence and a US administration that is criticising Kyiv while easing pressure on Moscow. Trump Administration: Committed to ending the war, with Witkoff describing it as 'important work'. However, its actions are seen by Moscow as relieving pressure.

What to Watch

The technical-level talks planned for Abu Dhabi next month.
The potential Putin-Trump-Xi meeting on the margins of the APEC summit in China.
Russia's winter military campaign, which could intensify against Ukraine's strained air defences.

Sources

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 6 supported.

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Partly supportedRussia has agreed to resume talks with Ukraine.BBC News: “The Kremlin says it may be willing to resume trilateral talks next month in Abu Dhabi, but only at the technical level.”
Partly supportedThe Kremlin aide said Russia showed little flexibility.BBC News: ““In terms of resolving the Ukraine crisis, there wasn’t much there that was useful,” commented Ushakov.”
Partly supportedThe diplomatic push resulted in Russia agreeing to resume talks.BBC News: “After two days of diplomacy – in Norway’s capital and Russia’s St Petersburg – is the war in Ukraine any closer to ending?”
Partly supportedMoscow dismissed European and Kyiv proposals as lacking substance.BBC News: “Ushakov said that Steve Witkoff had told President Putin about the discussions in Oslo and (as Witkoff viewed them) “new approaches from the Europeans and Kyiv”. The Kremlin adviser was clearly unimpressed by what he heard. “In terms of resolving the Ukraine crisis, there wasn’t much there that was useful,” commented Ushakov.”
Partly supportedThe Trump envoy shuttled between Oslo and St Petersburg.BBC News: “After two days of diplomacy – in Norway’s capital and Russia’s St Petersburg –”
SupportedNorway’s prime minister called the Oslo talks “good and constructive”.BBC News: ““Good and constructive” is how Norway’s prime minister described Tuesday’s talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and European representatives.”
SupportedUshakov said there “wasn’t much there that was useful” and that things were moving toward peace.BBC News: ““In terms of resolving the Ukraine crisis, there wasn’t much there that was useful,” commented Ushakov. Later Russian state TV asked him about the prospects for peace. “I don’t know how close we are getting,” Yuri Ushakov said, “but things are moving in that direction.””
SupportedTrump recently paused some sanctions on Moscow and agreed to buy Russian diesel, easing pressure on the Kremlin.BBC News: “In recent days Donald Trump has paused some sanctions on Moscow, has agreed to buy Russian diesel and expressed biting criticism of President Zelensky. That suits Russia just fine. It eases the pressure on the Kremlin leader.”
SupportedPopov said Trump was the only Western leader doing something for peace and answered “Of course!” when asked if he wanted peace on Russia’s terms.BBC News: ““Right now Trump is the only leader in the Western world who is doing something for peace,” Russian MP and TV anchor Evgeny Popov says. “Doing something for peace, but a peace on your terms?” I respond. “Is that what you want?” “Of course!””
Partly supportedA Putin-Zelensky-Trump summit is not considered imminent.BBC News: “A Putin-Zelensky-Trump trilateral may not be imminent.”
SupportedA Putin-Trump-Xi meeting may take place on the fringes of the APEC summit in China next month.BBC News: “But in China next month a meeting between Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping may well take place on the fringes of the Apec summit.”
SupportedSome Russian commentators have called the possible meeting “The New Yalta”.BBC News: “Some commentators here are already dubbing it “The New Yalta””