Mohan Sinha
22 Oct 2026

MOSCOW, Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin told U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff that Moscow is willing, in principle, to resume talks with Ukraine and the United States next month to end the war, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on October 21.

The proposed talks would be the first since February. Ushakov said they should focus on establishing security arrangements for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends.

Witkoff briefed Putin on his meetings in Oslo the previous day, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Norwegian prime minister and the Finnish president.

According to Ushakov, Witkoff reported that European countries and Kyiv had put forward new ideas, although Moscow believed few would help resolve the conflict.

Putin and Witkoff held talks lasting almost three hours. They also discussed implementing an agreement Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump reached on October 9 on supplies of Russian diesel to the United States and global markets.

The meeting also covered the crisis involving Iran. Putin argued that diplomatic efforts could still produce an agreement with Tehran, which Moscow considers a strategic partner.

"Russia reaffirmed its readiness to continue facilitating the search for political and diplomatic solutions to the Iranian issue," Ushakov said.

Putin also offered to help Trump address concerns over Iran's nuclear program, citing Russia's long-standing relationship with Tehran. Moscow has repeatedly offered to use its ties with Iran to help resolve disputes between Tehran and Washington.

The Russian president also told Witkoff that Russia could supply large quantities of fertilizer to the United States to support American farmers.

Putin further expressed interest in discussing a possible meeting with Trump in China next month. The Kremlin has suggested that Chinese President Xi Jinping could also join the meeting.

The latest discussions come amid growing concern in Kyiv and among Ukraine's allies that Washington is reducing its support for Ukraine.

The concerns include reports that the United States has at times withheld real-time intelligence about Russian attacks and restricted Ukraine's access to military communications. Such developments could affect Ukraine's ability to defend itself as diplomatic efforts to end the war continue.