Yuri Ushakov, an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, made the announcement after Putin met Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, in the Russian city of St Petersburg.
Ushakov said the talks could take place around November 10 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He stressed that discussions should focus on establishing security arrangements for Russia and Ukraine after the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he supported holding the talks as soon as possible. Ukraine and its European partners have been calling for negotiations to resume since they stalled in February.
Before travelling to Russia, Witkoff met Zelenskyy and the leaders of Norway and Finland in Oslo. Zelenskyy said they discussed concrete measures to protect Ukraine’s security and halt attacks on energy infrastructure.
A US official told the BBC that Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had proposed a meeting of experts from the three countries, an initiative accepted by both Ukraine and Russia.
Zelenskyy said he was willing to accept an agreement to end the war that would leave both sides’ forces where they are currently positioned. He said ending the fighting and killing was Ukraine’s immediate priority, with security arrangements to be discussed afterwards.
Ushakov said Putin had again told Witkoff that Russian forces were continuing to advance on the battlefield. Ukraine and its partners dispute that claim, saying neither side is making significant progress.
Witkoff described the talks as productive, while Kushner, who participated remotely, said considerable work remained but that there was a possibility of achieving lasting peace.
The discussions took place amid tensions between Washington and Kyiv. Trump said Ukraine needed a different president and a different representative for negotiations.
He also blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for contributing to rising fuel prices. His decision to ease sanctions on Russia and allow it to sell diesel has drawn criticism from some US lawmakers, Ukraine and its allies.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said intelligence-sharing between Ukraine and the United States had resumed after Kyiv accused Washington of withholding information about incoming Russian missile attacks.
Ukraine’s military also said restrictions on Starlink speeds had disrupted its drone operations. The United States has denied requesting the restrictions, while some American senators have called for an urgent investigation.
Before the talks, Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American who had been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison on accusations of fighting for Ukraine. Trump said Hubbard had returned home without any prisoner exchange taking place.
