Putin’s press chief: Russia holds firm on Istanbul for Ukraine peace talks amid delays

On June 16, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Istanbul remains the agreed location for future Russia‑Ukraine negotiations, though no firm date has been set. 

He told reporters that there had been no talk of moving to another venue, emphasising that the timeframe discussed was provisional and that no exact date for the next round had yet been determined, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

Talks initially resumed in Istanbul on May 16—the first direct dialogue since 2022—yielding key, albeit limited, achievements: the exchange of 1,000 prisoners on each side and the establishment of shared frameworks for potential ceasefire conditions.

Since then, momentum has slowed. Russia reportedly proposed a second round for June 2, but Ukraine neither confirmed attendance nor received Russia’s draft peace proposals for review in advance. 

President Zelenskyy and Defence Minister Umerov have insisted on seeing Moscow’s document beforehand, warning it may contain “unrealistic ultimatums.”

Western observers say the impasse is exacerbated by Russia’s refusal to share its memorandum, which the Kremlin described as “conditional until negotiations begin.” Meanwhile, Turkish President Erdoğan continues to urge both sides not to abandon the diplomatic track.

Despite speculation in Western media about alternative venues—such as the Vatican or Switzerland—Peskov dismissed these suggestions as efforts to “impose Western platforms,” reaffirming Russia’s commitment to Istanbul as the preferred host city.

By Aghakazim Guliyev