The Kremlin confirmed, on Monday, that reaching agreements regarding the resumption of tripartite negotiations (between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States) does not place restrictions on the continuation of military operations. He stressed that discussing the details of the potential settlement, especially with regard to the file of land concessions, “will not be public,” expecting the parties to engage in “difficult and detailed discussions.”
In the first indication of the expected field repercussions on the parties’ agreement at the end of last week regarding holding new negotiating rounds on the settlement in Ukraine, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that the resumption of negotiations did not place any restrictions on the completion of military operations, thus anticipating any possible talk about temporary truces to ensure the success of the negotiating rounds. But at the same time, he renewed the Kremlin’s approval of the limited humanitarian truce in the town of Oleshki (Kherson), which was reached after the mediation of the wife of the US President, Melania Trump, while the Russian Ministry of Defense warned that the Ukrainian forces were trying to obstruct the implementation of the agreement and prevent the evacuation of the residents of the town that had been under siege for months.
Peskov stressed that the decision to resume trilateral talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine does not mean any restrictions on military action.
Russian President Vladimir Putin informed US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff of Russia's readiness to resume tripartite talks on Ukraine in mid-November.
It is expected that the delegations of the three countries will hold a new negotiating session in Abu Dhabi after all parties agree to resume the dialogue interrupted since last February, but Peskov confirmed in a press briefing that the agreements in this regard did not include imposing any restrictions on the continuation of military operations on the fronts, in reference to Moscow’s decisive position towards proposals to declare a temporary truce to ensure the success of the ongoing efforts.
Peskov touched on the political aspect of the possible discussions in response to statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the weekend, in which he said that his country rejects any recognition of Russian sovereignty over regions in Ukraine, reiterating his refusal to make territorial concessions to end the fighting. But at the same time, he confirmed his readiness to discuss the border issue with the Russian leadership. The Russian spokesman said, “The border issue may be raised for discussion within the Ukrainian settlement process.” He added that the parties “are awaiting serious and detailed discussions,” but he stressed that “any talk about the border issue must take place away from the announcement.” He added, "Public discussion of the details of the Ukrainian settlement may harm the potential peace process."
Peskov was asked whether the Kremlin saw Zelensky's statement about his willingness to discuss the territorial issue with Moscow as a preparation for Kiev to make real border concessions, and whether it was possible to hold such a discussion in the near future. He replied that all of these issues, in one way or another, constitute topics for discussion during attempts to reach a peaceful solution. There is a very serious and difficult debate ahead, involving a great deal of detail.
Peskov touched on the limited truce in the Oleshki region, expressing his hope that “Ukraine will adhere to the agreements reached within the framework of the humanitarian operation.”
Oleshki is located on the left bank of the Dnieper River, opposite the city of Kherson, which is under the control of the Ukrainian armed forces. It has been subject to a long siege, and has been subjected to widespread deterioration and a severe shortage of medicines and foodstuffs. Efforts led by Melania Trump resulted in an agreement on a ceasefire to facilitate the entry of necessary medical aid, food, and the evacuation of residents.
Peskov said that Moscow does not rule out that the ceasefire in the region will constitute a model for reaching similar agreements in other regions.
Peskov explained: “For humanitarian purposes, it is certainly possible, especially with regard to the direct and very positive coordination intervention from the American side, the American negotiators, and First Lady Melania Trump. “We greatly appreciate these efforts, and this can certainly set a precedent.”
The White House announced that the two countries agreed to stop all hostilities to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid and prepare for the evacuation process.
The agreement indicated that the ceasefire in the town of Oleshki in the Kherson region would begin on October 29.
Peskov stressed that the evacuation of the residents of Oleshki during the humanitarian operation may take at least several days, and anyone wishing to leave the town will be able to do so. Meanwhile, Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, announced that Russian forces will cease fire in the direction of Kherson due to the humanitarian operation near Oleshki, and the ceasefire will take effect starting at 4 a.m. Moscow time on October 27.
However, the Russian Ministry of Defense warned of “obstacles that Ukrainian forces may place in the way of implementing the agreement,” with references to planting landmines and explosive devices to prevent civilians from leaving the area. These are accusations to which the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense did not respond directly.
The White House explained that Melania Trump “in her official capacity as exclusive mediator, initiated consultations with both countries, and agreed with the parties on the objectives of the agreements, technical aspects, timetables, procedures, and conditions.”
Russian forces continued to target infrastructure facilities in the capital, Kyiv, and other cities. It was announced on Monday morning that Kiev was plunged into complete darkness after power was cut off from most parts of the city and its surroundings.
According to reports, most areas witnessed a complete power outage after major electricity supply stations were targeted.
Kyiv is experiencing frequent and long-term power outages this fall. With expectations that residents of the Ukrainian capital and its surrounding areas will face a harsh winter due to the continuing severe shortage of energy resources. Metro and land electric transport services have been suspended, and water and sewage networks operate intermittently. A similar situation is observed in Odessa, Vinnitsa, Volyn, Kharkiv and other regions.
Russian forces regularly launch raids on Ukrainian infrastructure. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that this aims to “reduce the enemy’s military and economic capabilities.” To achieve this, the forces use attack drones and long-range precision weapons capable of destroying any target throughout Ukrainian territory.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced in a statement on Monday morning, “continuing to destroy infrastructure, energy and ports, and directing precise night strikes on power plants and logistics centers in the regions of eastern and western Ukraine.”
According to the statement, the new strikes included sites in Kiev, Kharkiv, the port of Chernomorsk (Odessa), and an electricity substation in the city of Kamenets-Podolsky, Khmelnytsky District, western Ukraine. In addition to cargo ships that were transporting, as Moscow said, military equipment to the port of Odessa.
