The Kremlin has accused Ukraine and the United States of prolonging the stalemate in peace talks, stating that the pace of negotiations depends on Kyiv’s stance, U.S. mediation efforts, and military conditions on the ground. In a televised interview, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia’s position has not shifted, with the focus remaining on Ukraine’s resolve and the effectiveness of Washington’s diplomatic efforts. Despite several rounds of talks, both sides have yet to agree on a ceasefire, with Russia insisting on a limited truce to recover fallen soldiers’ bodies and Ukraine demanding an unconditional 30-day halt to hostilities.
The recent discussions in Istanbul, which saw the second round of face-to-face talks this year, have yielded little progress beyond prisoner exchanges. Putin has expressed openness to a third round of negotiations, possibly in the same location, although the exact timeline remains uncertain. Meanwhile, the war has entered its fourth summer without a comprehensive ceasefire, with Russian forces making gains in key areas like Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk while intensifying attacks on Ukrainian civilians. The situation has raised concerns over Ukraine’s ability to sustain its military operations without continued Western support, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts and potential involvement from U.S. President Donald Trump in facilitating talks.
Ukraine’s leadership, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, has criticized Russia’s stalling tactics, arguing that the talks are merely an imitation of genuine peace negotiations. Zelensky has called for a trilateral format involving Trump to pressure Russia, though Trump has yet to impose additional sanctions on Moscow should peace talks fail. As the conflict drags on, the lack of a resolution continues to strain global diplomatic relations and raise the stakes for both sides in the ongoing war.