KEY POINTS
- Kremlin says it is working to finalise dates for third round of peace talks with Ukraine.
- Zelensky proposed holding peace talks this week; Moscow says no date agreed yet.
- Kremlin spokesman downplays chances of quick breakthrough, citing “diametrically opposed” positions.
MOSCOW: The Kremlin said on Monday that it was working on agreeing the dates for a third round of peace talks with Kyiv, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed holding them this week.
However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the chances of a quick breakthrough in peace talks, noting that the two sides held “diametrically” opposed positions.
Efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to the three-year-long war have stalled after US President Donald Trump forced the two sides to open direct talks after he returned to the White House in January.
The two sides met for talks in Istanbul in May and June, exchanging draft ideas of what a peace deal could look like. However, both sides have not yet agreed on a date for a third round.
“As soon as there is final agreement on the dates, we will inform you immediately,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
The two countries agreed to large-scale prisoner exchanges during their previous meetings, but failed to reach a ceasefire to end the three-year-old conflict.
They also presented their draft terms for ending the war.
Russia’s draft calls on Ukraine to effectively retreat from the four Ukrainian regions Moscow claimed to annexe in September 2022, a demand Kyiv has called unacceptable.
Ukraine’s draft demands Moscow cease hostilities and respect Kyiv’s NATO ambitions.
“We now need to exchange views and hold negotiations on these two drafts, which are currently diametrically opposed. A lot of diplomatic work lies ahead,” Peskov said.
In the two previous rounds of talks, the Russian delegation was led by Vladimir Medinsky, a political scientist not seen as a big decision-maker. Russia’s team at the next round will remain the same, Peskov said.
‘Lots of work’ ahead before peace deal
The talks have so far resulted only in prisoner exchanges, with momentum for a ceasefire having sapped.
Peskov downplayed the chances of a breakthrough in peace talks and said that the two sides held “diametrically” opposed positions.
Trump, who has expressed mounting frustration with Putin, last week gave the Russian leader a 50-day ultimatum to make a deal or face massive economic sanctions.
Zelensky on Friday called for talks to take place this week.
Moscow said it was ready, but that there was no agreement for when the next round would take place yet.
Russia last month demanded Kyiv’s army retreat from four Ukrainian regions Moscow claimed to annexe in September 2022, but does not have full control over, as well as reject all forms of Western military support.
Kyiv dismissed it as an unacceptable ultimatum, and has at times questioned the point of further negotiations if Moscow was not willing to make concessions.
Ukraine called for an immediate ceasefire and for Moscow to respect its NATO and EU ambitions.
French foreign minister in Kyiv
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot arrived in the capital for a surprise visit.
The European Union agreed on Friday on an 18th package of sanctions on Moscow that targeted Russian banks and lowered a price cap on oil exports.
Barrot said the sanctions were aimed at increasing the cost of war for Russia to pressure Putin into negotiations.
