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Russia is prepared to resume three-way negotiations with the United States and Ukraine around Nov. 10, Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said after President Vladimir Putin met US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg.

Ushakov said the possibility of bringing Russian, US and Ukrainian representatives back to the table was examined in concrete terms during the three-hour talks, with the main issue being a post-conflict security system for Moscow and Kyiv.

Iran and possible leaders' meeting in China

The two sides also discussed the Middle East, particularly developments around Iran. Ushakov said Putin stressed that diplomatic options are not yet exhausted and that an agreement with Tehran is both possible and necessary.

Ushakov added that the parties also raised the possibility that the leaders of Russia, China and the United States could meet for the first time during the APEC summit in China in November.

Key takeaways

• Russia is ready in principle to restart trilateral talks with the US and Ukraine around Nov. 10, Ushakov said.
• Putin and Witkoff held three hours of talks in St. Petersburg, described as "comprehensive and candid."
• Putin pardoned US citizen Stephen Hubbard, who was handed to Witkoff at Pulkovo Airport.
• The parties also weighed a first-ever meeting of the Russian, Chinese and US leaders at the APEC summit in China in November.