Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Friday that peace talks with Ukraine remain “on pause,” though Russia insists it is still committed to a diplomatic resolution.
Three negotiation rounds were held in Istanbul earlier this year, the most recent in July. While communication channels remain open, Peskov said current contacts “could be described as paused,” cautioning that nobody should expect “lightning results” from such a complex process.
“The Russian side maintains its commitment for pursuing peaceful dialogue and peaceful resolution,” Peskov stressed during his press briefing.
The Kremlin’s remarks come just days after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko accused the European Union and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky of deliberately stalling peace efforts. Meeting with U.S. envoy John Coale in Minsk, Lukashenko praised Washington’s role while blaming Brussels for blocking progress.
Peskov echoed Lukashenko’s view: “The Europeans do stand in the way, and that is no secret.”
Moscow officials argue that Zelensky is unwilling to make compromises because he prioritizes holding onto power, even as Ukrainian forces face battlefield setbacks. They claim European NATO members back him regardless, lobbying Washington to maintain support — fearing that admitting defeat would mean acknowledging their entire approach to the war has failed.
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With talks frozen and blame shifting between Moscow, Kiev, and Western capitals, hopes for a breakthrough remain slim.
