Kremlin Aide Says Timing of Trilateral Talks Hinges on Battlefield Situation

Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has said that the timing of consultations between Russia, the United States and Ukraine on negotiations will depend on the situation on the battlefield and the broader circumstances. His remarks were carried by the Russian news agency Interfax.

Ushakov indicated that a date has yet to be fixed but said it would fall after 4 November. "The date will also be [set]. It is clear that this will be after 4 November," he was quoted as saying. He added that the schedule "will also depend on the situation on the battlefield and the overall situation".

The aide also said the makeup of the Russian delegation has not yet been made public and will be announced later. "We of course have a core team, but I think the composition will be determined in the near future," Ushakov said.

Describing the planned format, Ushakov said the contacts are intended to involve representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the US, stressing that it would be those parties' representatives specifically.

He previously stated that European representatives would not take part in the trilateral technical talks between the US, Ukraine and Russia that are scheduled for next month. Ushakov had also said earlier that Russia is ready to resume trilateral talks with Washington and Kyiv on ending the war after 4 November.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered his own assessment of the prospects. He said that after a conversation between European leaders and Putin, there are indications Russia is serious about a meeting of the negotiating teams in Abu Dhabi. Zelenskyy added that whether the trilateral meeting of Ukrainian, US and Russian technical teams, planned for early November, goes ahead depends on the United States.

Separately, The Telegraph reported that Russia might try to use a new round of peace talks to seek concessions from NATO.