Moscow, 25 October. Russia is ready to resume trilateral talks with the US and Ukraine after 4 November, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said in an interview with Vesti, RBC reported.
Ushakov said the next deadline is 4 November, a major Russian holiday, after which Moscow will be ready to resume negotiations. In his words, the first meeting will be exploratory, and work is still needed on a peace agreement. Ushakov also said that organisational preparations for a trilateral summit of Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump have begun; when and where it might take place was not specified.
What it means: The Kremlin named the date after which it is ready to return to talks on Ukraine and announced preparations for a meeting of the leaders of the three largest powers.
Who benefits: Moscow stakes a claim on the agenda of the big three. Supporters of negotiations get at least a timetable. Kyiv and Washington have not responded on the date.
Background: 4 November is National Unity Day in Russia.
