Kremlin admits diplomacy has stalled as Putin rejects summit; Ukraine demands peacekeeping forces amid continued attacks
Peace Talks Stalled, Says Kremlin
Peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are currently on hold, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday.
“Our negotiators can still communicate through channels, but it’s more accurate to say things are on pause,” Peskov said during a media briefing.
He added, “You can’t wear rose-tinted glasses and expect immediate results,” acknowledging the lack of progress.
Putin Rules Out Meeting Zelensky
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively ruled out a face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite Zelensky insisting that a summit is essential to breaking the deadlock.
- Moscow remains firm on its conditions, especially regarding the eastern Donbas region, large parts of which it currently occupies.
Fighting Intensifies on the Ground
- Just last week, Russia launched its largest aerial assault yet, striking several cities across Ukraine.
- In Kyiv, a government building was set ablaze, and several civilians were killed in the attack.
US and Global Diplomacy Efforts
- US President Donald Trump has attempted to mediate, even hosting Putin in Alaska, but his efforts haven’t yielded a breakthrough.
- Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to reject any territorial concessions and has requested European peacekeeping forces — a proposal Russia rejects outright.
Failed Talks So Far
- Previous three rounds of direct talks in Istanbul ended without a formal agreement, though both sides have conducted prisoner exchanges.
- Russia continues to demand:
- Full Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas
- No NATO or EU troops in Ukraine
- Ukraine continues to push for:
- Retaining territorial integrity
- Deployment of international peacekeeping forces
With no immediate path forward, both sides appear entrenched in their positions. The pause in negotiations highlights the widening gap between Moscow and Kyiv as the war stretches beyond three years with no political solution in sight.
