Russia and Ukraine say talks planned for November in UAE

According to Al Jazeera, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters the talks "will take place in a trilateral format"[1]. Interfax-Ukraine reports that when asked whether Europe could join, Peskov said "Nothing can be ruled out a priori"[2].Al Jazeera reports that Russia signalled its willingness to reengage after US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to meet with President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg this week.[1] According to Europe Says, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said Moscow was "in principle, prepared to resume the aforementioned trilateral negotiations around the 10th of November."[3]Al Jazeera reports that after Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Witkoff on Tuesday, Kyiv had said it hoped for talks "as soon as possible"[4].According to Al Jazeera, Putin said in a televised interview that any trilateral talks should focus on the long-term security arrangements for a final peace deal, not a "short" truce.[1] Interfax-Ukraine quotes Peskov as saying that without such arrangements, "a comprehensive solution is impossible."[2]Al Jazeera says hopes of making significant progress are slim[1]. It notes that Russia has kept a list of hardline demands, including that Ukraine hands over large parts of its territory and agrees not to join NATO.[1]Al Jazeera also reports that Russia's Defence Ministry announced that Moscow and Kyiv had each exchanged 270 prisoners of war.[1]