Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, expressed hope that the United States is pressing Ukraine to engage in negotiations with Russia, according to Russian state news agency Interfax on July 16.
Russia urges “everyone to do this,” Peskov stated.
He also reiterated accusations that Ukraine “wants war” and perceives all supportive statements as “signals to continue the war” rather than pursue peace.
On June 14, Putin, in a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, reportedly confirmed Russia’s readiness to continue talks with Ukraine after June 22, according to Russian propagandists.
Later, Peskov suggested that a new round of negotiations with the Ukrainian delegation could take place in Istanbul.
Istanbul talks on June 2
On June 2, a second meeting between Ukrainian and Russian delegations took place in Istanbul. Russian media reported that the talks lasted over an hour. The parties agreed on a prisoner exchange in the “all-for-all” format for two categories: severely wounded or ill soldiers and young soldiers under 25.
Ukraine proposed a leaders’ meeting by the end of the month, potentially with a third party, such as the U.S. president, present. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov subsequently stated that such talks were “unlikely” in the near future.
The head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, claimed Russia offered Ukraine a two-to-three-day ceasefire to retrieve the bodies of the fallen. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the proposal absurd, noting that such exchanges already occur on the battlefield and that a ceasefire is needed to prevent further deaths. Kyiv proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, which Moscow rejected.
Zelenskyy also stated that Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is in contact with Medinsky. He noted that after completing the prisoner exchanges, the parties plan to discuss further steps.
On June 20, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed Russia had no intention of agreeing to a ceasefire with Ukraine, citing a “strategic advantage” in the war.
On July 10, Zelenskyy said that the possibility of leader-level talks with Russia would only be considered after the completion of prisoner exchange agreements.
Why would Peskov want the US to force Ukraine back to the capitulation table? Is putler tired of all this winning? Methinks the putler murder gang are running out of steam. This summer offensive has been going on for months now, with nothing to show for it, despite the ‘experts’ claiming it hasn’t started yet.
If the ruSSians leave all of Ukraine except for a denuclearized Crimea and accept Ukraine’s instant NATO membership i’m all in.
That will never happen unless Russia is destroyed economically.
Or in any other way possible.
Ukraine’s Crimea should be the future NATO forward operating base. It would be perfect imo.
This is just more ruSSian bullshit. They are accusing Ukraine of doing exactly what they’re doing. Besides that, they can’t make up their minds if they want the US in the negotiations or not. I think there should be 4-way talks or more, if any,
I would have the Baltics represented. That would cut the bs from mafia land
Great idea.