The key facts

  • Mike Johnson: the US is «on the threshold» of trilateral talks on Ukraine
  • At his October 21 meeting with Witkoff, Putin confirmed readiness for the Russia — US — Ukraine format
  • Yuri Ushakov suggested a new round could be held in the UAE in early-to-mid November

Congress confirmed preparations for the meeting

The United States is preparing for trilateral talks on Ukraine and, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson, is literally «on the threshold» of such a meeting. In an interview with Fox News, he said that the day before he had spoken with President Donald Trump, and on the day of the statement — with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. «Marco, the Secretary of State, says they are going to hold trilateral talks. They are literally on the threshold of this,» Gazeta.Ru quotes Johnson. According to him, the American administration is doing everything possible to bring the conflict to an end.

What preceded the statement

Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Ryabkov previously reported that the topic was being worked on: according to him, the question of holding talks between Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky is being worked out. On October 21, talks between Putin and US presidential envoy Steven Witkoff took place in St. Petersburg — at them the Russian leader stated Moscow's readiness to resume trilateral consultations with Washington and Kyiv. Later, aide to the head of state Yuri Ushakov reported that a new round in the Russia — US — Ukraine format may take place in early-to-mid November in the United Arab Emirates. Earlier Trump called on Putin and Zelensky to meet in order to end the hostilities.

Context and significance

Johnson's statement aligns with the Russian side: both sides publicly speak of preparing the same format, although the exact date and venue of the meeting have not been finally named — Ushakov spoke only of a possible timeframe in November and a venue in the UAE. For the parties to the conflict, the practical significance of such a round is the first direct Moscow — Washington — Kyiv channel in a long time; however, sources do not report an agreed agenda or participants from the Ukrainian side, so it is difficult to judge the real status of the meeting for now.