Moscow has stated it has received no indication from Kyiv regarding its intention to resume peace negotiations. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia will not be sending representatives to the planned Istanbul meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
Commenting on statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about reactivating dialogue, Peskov suggested Zelenskyy was likely referring to communications with Turkey, potentially involving U.S. Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff. Peskov emphasized that ongoing discussions in Istanbul are currently proceeding without Russian participation.
“We cannot assess Kyiv’s readiness for dialogue,” Peskov stated, citing a lack of information regarding the content of any proposals prepared for negotiations. He added that there are no specific plans for communication between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the U.S. envoy or Turkish government representatives at this time.
However, Peskov affirmed President Putin’s openness to discussions should Witkoff or Turkish government representatives deem it necessary to brief Moscow on the progress of the Istanbul meetings. He reiterated that Russia remains open to the negotiation process and that its position is well-known to the United States, Turkey, and Ukraine.
These statements from Peskov follow President Zelenskyy’s announcement of his visit to Turkey aimed at “activating negotiations.” The Kremlin’s stance suggests a cautious approach, pending concrete signals from Kyiv regarding its willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected in the coming days. DZWatch will continue to monitor the situation closely.
