Story perspectives

Russia ready for mid-November trilateral talks, Putin-U.S. meeting

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Russian Missiles Strike Kyiv

Russian missiles struck Kyiv, wounding six and sending residents to shelters.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the war was closest to ending after Witkoff met Putin.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Russia was ready to resume trilateral talks in mid-November.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would accept a ceasefire freezing the front line.
Ushakov said a technical round could start on or after November 10 in Abu Dhabi.

Summary

Merz Warns Surrender

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Kyiv’s surrender would mean Europe’s surrender, calling it “not an option.”
Merz said Russia’s invasion threatens the European order established since 1990 and is not merely a Ukrainian war.
The United States increased pressure on Kyiv for a settlement after pursuing a diesel-fuel deal with Moscow, which Europe opposed.
Several EU leaders urged reviving debate on seizing frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine.

History

Historical Context

The Soviet Union formally ceased to exist on 26 December 1991 after the Belovezha Accords of 8 December signed by Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, ending Cold-War bipolarity. NATO, which had reduced its presence after the collapse, later shifted eastward, prompting Russian security concerns. Russia’s missile strikes on Kyiv and Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s warnings echo those post-1991 tensions.

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Russian Missiles Strike Kyiv

Russian missiles struck Kyiv, wounding six and sending residents to shelters.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the war was closest to ending after Witkoff met Putin.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Russia was ready to resume trilateral talks in mid-November.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would accept a ceasefire freezing the front line.
Ushakov said a technical round could start on or after November 10 in Abu Dhabi.

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