The last direct meeting between Russian and Ukrainian delegations took place in Istanbul in July. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Monday that the Ukrainian authorities have shown no willingness to continue dialogue despite prior agreements to establish working groups, claiming Kiev’s refusal to engage undermines peace efforts. “The pause is due to the Kiev regime’s unwillingness to continue the dialogue,” Peskov asserted during a press briefing.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko recently expressed interest in discussing matters with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy, urging him to “calm down” and accept a proposed framework for negotiations. However, Zelenskiy’s administration has yet to respond to such overtures.
Efforts to restart direct talks between Moscow and Kiev in Türkiye this year have yielded limited progress, though humanitarian exchanges—including prisoner swaps and repatriation of fallen soldiers—have occurred. Russia maintains it is open to a peaceful resolution but insists any agreement must address the conflict’s root causes and acknowledge territorial realities, including regions annexed via referendums. Ukraine, meanwhile, demands an unconditional ceasefire, security assurances, and the restoration of its claimed territories.
