New Ukraine-Russia Talks to Be Announced This Week, Kremlin Says

The Kremlin said the new date for the newest Kyiv-Moscow negotiations is expected to be announced this week.

Kyiv and Moscow have engaged in three rounds of direct talks thus far, all in Istanbul – once in 2022 that resulted in the Istanbul Communiqué, then once in May 2025 that resulted in a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange deal, and another in early June that resulted in more prisoners being exchanged.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated the update for the new scheduled talks on Monday after similar remarks on Friday.

However, Peskov added that Russia aims to achieve the war goals set by Russian leader Vladimir Putin when Moscow launched the 2022 invasion, which included the so-called de-militarization of Ukraine that would effectively strip the nation of its sovereignty.

“Moscow expects that a date for a new round of negotiations with Kyiv will be set this week… Achieving the goals outlined by Putin at the beginning of the [special military operation] SVO is a priority for Russia,” Russian state media RIA Novosti reported, citing Peskov’s comments and referring to the invasion using the Kremlin-approved glossary.

Kyiv has not responded to Peskov’s statement at the time of publication.

While the previous negotiations were intended to set up a ceasefire between the two nations with the US and Turkey as mediators, Moscow has thus far brushed off the proposals.

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Peskov’s statement that mentions new talks and Russia’s maximalist demands simultaneously also echoed similar remarks from Russian leader Vladimir Putin recently.

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum last week, Putin claimed he “[wants] to end the war,” is “ready to meet with everyone, including [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky,” but simultaneously questioned the legitimacy of Zelensky and his government.

At the same event, Putin also laid claims to the entirety of Ukraine, saying that “Russians and Ukrainians are one people. In this sense, all of Ukraine is ours.”

“Wherever the foot of a Russian soldier steps – that is ours,” he added.

In response to Putin’s statement, Zelensky said Ukraine “will respond together with our partners.”

“Of course, we will find Ukrainian drones for every boot of a Russian occupier. Of course, Ukraine will defend itself,” Zelensky said, adding that Putin has been brushing off all peace mediation efforts by third parties, as demonstrated by the invasion and the recent remarks.

“But it is Russia that rejects peace proposals. And not just some – all of them: American, and, by the way, Chinese, European, Brazilian, African, Indian. Regardless of who says the war must be stopped, Putin doesn’t listen. It is Putin who speaks openly to the world about which cities he threatens and which nations he claims don’t exist,” Zelensky added.