Kremlin aide warns Ukraine strikes could complicate November peace talks

A Kremlin adviser has warned that large Ukrainian attacks on Russia around its Unity Day holiday could make it harder to restart three-way peace discussions with US mediation, according to Romanian broadcaster Digi24 citing the EFE news agency.

Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Moscow expected negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States to take place only after the holiday in early November. He said additional attacks during the celebrations would affect the atmosphere for talks.

The remarks were a conditional warning by a party to the war, not a confirmation that Ukraine had planned any attack for the holiday or that a diplomatic meeting had been cancelled.

Russia celebrates Unity Day on 4 November. Reports about the planning of future Abu Dhabi talks have given different possible dates and participant lists, with no joint announcement confirming a final schedule.

Ushakov's statement followed Russian allegations of major Ukrainian drone activity near Moscow. Claims about the number of aircraft launched or shot down came from Russian officials and have not been independently verified in this article.

Ukraine has argued that its operations against Russian military targets are part of self-defence. The quoted Kremlin remarks do not by themselves establish the legality of particular attacks or whether either side is prepared to accept a ceasefire.

Digi24 and Moldova's TV8 reported the comments as part of broader diplomatic coverage. The newsroom treats them as a statement about Russia's negotiating position rather than proof that the planned discussions will fail.