Ukraine and Russia say yes to talks, but the gaps remain
Both sides signal they will return to US-brokered negotiations, yet their core demands have not moved.
By the Dispatch desk · 25 Oct 2026 · 3 min read
Draft: AI-assisted summary of the reports below, pending editor review. Facts are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed.
On 24 October 2026 the Associated Press reported that Ukraine and Russia have both signalled they are willing to resume US-brokered peace talks, and that both back a humanitarian mission led by US first lady Melania Trump.
The same old gap
AP says the key positions have barely changed. Russia continues to demand Ukrainian territory it does not fully control, while Kyiv insists any deal must include firm guarantees against another invasion. Within hours of Vladimir Putin saying he agreed "in principle" to restart talks, Russia launched a deadly missile and drone attack on Kyiv, AP reported.
Timing
AP reports that talks are likely in mid-November.
Our view
Willingness to talk is not the same as willingness to compromise. The humanitarian mission is worth watching as a first test of whether both sides can cooperate on anything at all.