Trump’s side responds to Peskov, pushes Russia to end delays in Ukraine peace talks
US President’s Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg (Photo: Getty Images)
Russia must move toward trilateral negotiations to end the war and stop wasting time by continuing its attacks on Ukraine, according to US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg.
The official described recent comments by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov regarding the state of Ukraine-Russia talks as an Orwellian distortion of reality, referencing the famed British author George Orwell (1903–1950).
Specifically, the special representative noted that Russian claims suggesting the US and Ukraine are dragging out peace negotiations are baseless. He emphasized that President Donald Trump has been consistent and determined in pushing for meaningful progress toward ending the war.
“We urge an immediate ceasefire and a move to trilateral talks to end the war. Russia cannot continue to stall for time while it bombs civilian targets in Ukraine,” Kellogg emphasized.
Peskov’s controversial remarks
On Monday, June 30, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that the course of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia is allegedly being shaped largely by Kyiv’s stance and the effectiveness of the US as a mediator.
He also reiterated Moscow’s position that any future talks must take into account the real situation on the ground, referring to the state of the front lines.
Ukraine’s Presidential Office dismissed Peskov’s remarks as manipulative and accused Moscow of blocking peace initiatives.
At present, both sides are working toward a third round of peace negotiations. The Russian side has expressed readiness to meet in Istanbul sometime after June 22.
Official Kyiv, on the other hand, stated that it is currently unclear what there is to discuss with the Russians, given the zero results of the previous two rounds of talks.
Recently, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that Western countries will not succeed in pressuring Russia into negotiations with Ukraine through intensified sanctions.
He was referring to the European Union’s 18th package of sanctions against Russia, one of the most powerful since the beginning of the full-scale war.
