Russia anticipates reaching an agreement with Ukraine next week to set a date for a third round of peace talks, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. He noted that Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, who leads the Russian delegation, remains in communication with his Ukrainian counterpart.
After a hiatus of over three years, the two nations resumed direct negotiations in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2. These discussions resulted in a series of prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of fallen soldiers’ remains.
However, no tangible progress has been made toward achieving a ceasefire. Ukraine, with support from Western allies, continues to push for a cessation of hostilities, while Russia maintains it seeks a comprehensive resolution rather than a temporary pause. Moscow is demanding territorial concessions and other conditions, which Kyiv views as tantamount to surrender.
The conflict has escalated recently, marked by intensified Russian airstrikes and Ukrainian drone attacks on June 1 that severely damaged Russia’s strategic bomber fleet.
