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Kremlin suddenly distances itself from idea of peace talks without Ukraine’s participation

Mon, October 19, 2026 - 14:45
2 min
Kremlin suddenly distances itself from idea of peace talks without Ukraine’s participation Photo: Russian leader’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov (Getty Images)

The Kremlin commented on the possibility of peace talks without Ukraine’s participation, saying that a final agreement to end the war would be impossible without representatives of Kyiv, says Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, according to TASS.

According to Peskov, Russia highly values the efforts of the United States to find ways to end the war in Ukraine. At the same time, he stressed that a final agreement cannot be reached without the participation of the Ukrainian side.

"A final settlement of the Ukrainian conflict is impossible without the participation of someone from Kyiv who is ready to take responsibility," the Kremlin spokesperson said.

However, Peskov did not specify whom exactly Moscow would like to see representing Ukraine at the talks. He also did not name a possible format for future meetings.

The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Russia was proposing a trilateral summit in November involving the US and China to negotiate an end to the war on terms favorable to Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not expected to be invited to the meeting.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized the idea, saying that such a format would only encourage Russia to continue the war. Instead, he advocated for talks involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia.

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