Spokesman: Russia complying with initial stages of Ukraine settlement process

Russia is not stalling or halting the implementation of agreements reached during the initial two rounds of negotiations with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

“The work to implement the agreements is neither being stopped nor delayed,” Caliber.Az quotes Peskov as saying via Russian media.

He added that Moscow appreciates the efforts being made by Washington to support the negotiation process on a settlement for Ukraine.

“We are certainly grateful for the efforts made by Washington and members of Trump’s team to facilitate the negotiations on a Ukrainian settlement,” Peskov stated, responding to comments from US presidential envoy Keith Kellogg, who had suggested that Russia was dragging out the peace process.

“You are aware that the next step is to agree on the timing of the third round. Up until now, the agreements reached during the second round of negotiations, which took place in Istanbul, have been fulfilled,” the Kremlin representative explained.

“After that, once all the humanitarian agreements are implemented, the sides will convene again and continue discussions,” Peskov added.

In June 2025, Ukraine and Russia resumed direct negotiations in Istanbul, marking their second face-to-face talks since 2022. Ukraine proposed a 30-day ceasefire and sought firm security guarantees, while Russia countered with a limited 2–3-day truce focused on recovering bodies.

The proposals were described by Russian President Vladimir Putin as “absolutely opposite,” and no concrete agreement was reached. However, both sides did agree on coordinated exchanges of prisoners and the remains of fallen soldiers.

Later in the month, Putin expressed readiness for a third round of negotiations, again suggesting Istanbul as the venue and offering to return the bodies of an additional 3,000 Ukrainian troops.

Despite this, tensions resurfaced when U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg accused Moscow of using the talks to buy time—an allegation the Kremlin firmly denied.

While no ceasefire was achieved, both sides signalled a willingness to continue discussions, though they remain far apart on the terms and next steps.

By Aghakazim Guliyev