Is Russia Prepared for Another Round of Talks with Ukraine?

Moscow, July 14 (NationPress) Russia has expressed its readiness to engage in another round of negotiations with Ukraine; however, it appears that Kyiv is not in a rush, according to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday.

“Kyiv is clearly taking its time. We still await proposals concerning the timelines. The Russian side is willing to continue and hold a third round [of talks],” he stated.

Additionally, in an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin confirmed that Russia will persist with direct negotiations with Ukraine.

“There is an understanding that direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations will continue,” noted Galuzin, who previously participated in two meetings in Istanbul.

Reports indicate that the Kremlin is currently looking for signals from Kyiv that would demonstrate a readiness to restart direct discussions. Nevertheless, Ukrainian officials maintain that the third round can only proceed after the completion of agreed prisoner exchanges.

While addressing reporters, Kremlin Aide Yuri Ushakov mentioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a recent phone call with US President Donald Trump, reiterated Moscow's willingness to continue negotiations with Kyiv after June 22.

Earlier this month, Ushakov revealed that the conversation between Putin and Trump lasted for nearly an hour.

“Naturally, the issues surrounding Ukraine were discussed. Donald Trump has once again raised the issue of ending the hostilities as soon as possible. In turn, Vladimir Putin noted that we still continued the search for a political, negotiated solution to the conflict. He informed his counterpart on the progress in implementing the humanitarian agreements reached during the second round of direct Russian-Ukrainian talks held in Istanbul. He also noted Russia was willing to pursue negotiations,” a statement from the Russian President’s office indicated.

“Furthermore, the President of Russia stated that Russia would strive to achieve its goals, namely the elimination of the well-known root causes that led to the current state of affairs, the bitter confrontation that we are seeing now. Russia will not back down from these goals,” the statement added.

The second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, held in Istanbul on June 2, yielded modest yet concrete progress in the peace negotiations. The approximately 90-minute session raised cautious hopes for a potential easing of hostilities through expanded humanitarian measures, including the largest prisoner exchange since the conflict began.

Moscow and Kyiv agreed to conduct an “all for all” exchange of severely ill prisoners of war and those under 25 years-old, involving at least 1,000 individuals from both sides.

The first round of discussions took place on May 16, resulting in agreements for a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap and an exchange of official terms for a possible ceasefire.