On 22 October 2026, US Vice-President J.D. Vance announced that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to return to the negotiating table to bring the war to an end. According to him, the US President’s Special Representative, Steve Witkoff, had succeeded in resuming the diplomatic process following meetings with Ukrainian and Russian leaders. Vance noted that Witkoff was optimistic about the outcome of the latest talks. At the same time, a specific date for a new round of trilateral talks involving Kyiv, Washington and Moscow has not yet been set. The Russian side has tentatively suggested mid-November as a possible date, whilst Ukraine is calling for the meeting to take place as soon as possible.
- On 22 October, US Vice-President J.D. Vance announced that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to resume talks.
- According to Vens, US Special Representative Steve Witkoff managed to restart the diplomatic process.
- The US side has welcomed the outcome of the recent meetings with Kyiv and Moscow.
- The Kremlin has stated that, in principle, it is prepared to hold trilateral talks from around 10 November.
Vance confirmed that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to hold talks
Vice President of the United States JD Vance commented on the prospects for the resumption of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia whilst speaking to journalists on 22 October.
Responding to a question about the diplomatic efforts of Donald Trump’s administration, he stated that both sides had agreed to return to the negotiating table.
«I think both countries have agreed to sit down at the negotiating table,» said Vens.
According to him, the US President’s Special Representative played an important role in reaching this agreement Steve Witkoff, which was organised by negotiations first with the Ukrainian side, and then with Vladimir Putin.
The US Vice-President also said that Witkoff was feeling optimistic following the latest diplomatic meetings.
Vance did not announce a specific date for the talks, nor did he report that any agreements had been reached on the key terms for ending the war.
What is known about Witkoff’s talks with Putin
On 21 October, the US President’s Special Representative, Steve Witkoff, met with Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg. The talks lasted nearly three hours.
The US side has put forward updated proposals on a possible end to the war, which had previously been discussed with Ukraine and its European partners.
After the meeting, Putin’s aide Yuriy Ushakov stated that Moscow is, in principle, prepared to resume tripartite format of negotiations involving Ukraine, the US and Russia.
According to him, the meeting between the negotiating teams could take place around 10 November or later. Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates is cited as one of the possible venues.
At the same time, the Kremlin has not announced any change to its key demands on Ukraine. The Russian side continues to insist on its own vision of territorial issues and future security guarantees.
Zelenskyy expressed his support for the talks, but recalled Russia’s previous refusals
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy On 21 October, he confirmed Kyiv’s readiness to take part in a new round of trilateral talks.
The Ukrainian leader emphasised that the US side is proposing to organise a meeting as soon as possible, and that Kyiv supports this initiative. Zelenskyy pointed out that Russia has repeatedly stated its readiness for diplomatic meetings, only to subsequently change its position or renege on agreements.
«Let’s see how it goes this time,» said the President of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy also emphasised that one of the aims of the talks at delegation level should be to prepare for a face-to-face meeting between the presidents of Ukraine, the US and Russia. However, Moscow has so far only agreed to talks between working groups. There is no confirmed agreement on a meeting between Zelenskyy, Trump and Putin.
What issues might Ukraine, the US and Russia discuss?
Preliminary consultations between the Ukrainian and American sides covered the issue of a ceasefire, security guarantees and Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.
Possible areas for future negotiations include a ceasefire – in particular, a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure – the return of prisoners of war, and mechanisms for international monitoring of the implementation of any potential agreements.
A separate issue is the guarantees that are intended to prevent a repeat of Russian aggression.
The final agenda for the talks has not yet been agreed. Ukraine and Russia continue to hold significant differences regarding the territories and the political conditions for ending the war.
Russia continues its missile strikes despite its statements of peace
Vens’s latest statement came after a massive the Russian attack on Kyiv on the night of 22 October.
Russian troops attacked residential buildings, energy facilities and transport infrastructure in the capital. Civilians were killed and injured as a result of the shelling.
Consequently, diplomatic statements expressing a willingness to negotiate have not yet been accompanied by a cessation of Russian attacks.
Vens’s statement confirms the resumption of diplomatic contacts, but does not mean that the parties have reached a peace agreement or agreed on a date for the cessation of hostilities. The next step should be to agree on a specific meeting and its agenda.
