Kremlin finds new reasons to drag out peace talks

According to Peskov, the heads of the Russian and Ukrainian negotiating groups are allegedly "in contact," but the Kremlin cannot yet specify the timing of the next round of talks.

"This work is ongoing, and we believe it must continue. Any other contacts at a high or the highest level, as we have repeatedly said, must be well prepared to be effective," said the press secretary of the Russian President.

He claimed that Russia supposedly remains committed to resolving the conflict in Ukraine primarily through diplomatic means, but stressed the need for reciprocity from Ukraine.

"Reciprocity from Ukraine is certainly necessary. We highly value and also hope that the peacekeeping and mediation efforts of the US President will continue. We believe these efforts are very important and can help in resolving this complex, longstanding conflict that was not provoked by us," the spokesman said.

Zelenskyy–Putin meeting

The idea of holding a summit between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin emerged after talks between US President Donald Trump and Putin in Alaska. According to the American leader, the meeting could have taken place within weeks.

However, it seems that Moscow is trying to drag out the process. The Kremlin is once again coming up with reasons why such a meeting is supposedly not yet possible.

This time, officials said the summit could only happen "if all the issues requiring discussion at the highest level are well worked out."

Skepticism about the meeting is also voiced in the West. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz doubts that Putin would dare sit down at the negotiating table with Zelenskyy. Finland’s President likewise said a summit is unlikely to take place before the end of August.

At the same time, Merz warned that if the meeting does not happen soon, the EU may consider strengthening sanctions against Russia.