Russia launched a deadly missile barrage on Kyiv within HOURS of Putin agreeing to restart US-brokered peace talks

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 October 2026.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the talks are likely to be held in Abu Dhabi around mid-November. It would be the fourth round brokered by the Trump administration, following Geneva in February. Kyiv and Moscow have also agreed a local ceasefire so aid can reach a stranded Kherson town next week, after secret consultations led by Melania Trump. Russia still demands Ukrainian land it does not fully control.

Envoy Steve Witkoff told Putin: 'You are a humanitarian also, sir.'

Putin says the talks will focus on security arrangements, not a 'short' truce.

Moscow claims it destroyed more than 800 Ukrainian drones heading for its cities.