Russia says 'battlefield situation' will determine when Ukraine peace talks begin

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated on October 28 that the timing of peace talks between Russia, the U.S., and Ukraine would hinge on the battlefield situation. The Kremlin has expressed willingness to resume trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi for the first time in over eight months, yet no date has been confirmed. These talks come after a renewed U.S. push to restart negotiations, which have largely stalled due to Moscow's insistence that Kyiv hand over parts of Donbas, a strategically important region in eastern Ukraine that Russian forces have not fully captured.

Ushakov declined to provide a specific date, saying it would depend on the battlefield and overall situation. He also confirmed that the Russian delegation's composition was still being finalized and ruled out European participation in the upcoming meeting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had expected the trilateral negotiations to take place in mid-November, but Washington has yet to confirm a date.

Following the renewed U.S. effort to revive negotiations, Moscow has repeatedly refused Western-backed proposals for a full and unconditional ceasefire, while Ukraine continues to demand that Donbas be ceded. Ukrainian officials do not anticipate a major breakthrough in Abu Dhabi but hope the talks will rekindle regular negotiations.

The technical discussions are expected to address potential energy and maritime ceasefires, exchanges of military and civilian captives, and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.