Kremlin Confirms Dialogue with U.S. and Ukraine Has Reached a Standstill

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed a major pause in dialogue between Russia and the United States, telling reporters that talks following the Istanbul meetings have “considerably stalled.”

“Indeed, the dialogue as a follow-up of the Istanbul talks is considerably stalled,” Peskov stated, adding that progress on related negotiations with Ukraine has also ground to a halt. “Our progress is at a standstill,” he said, noting that Kyiv has yet to respond to the documents proposed during the last round of discussions.

The third round of direct Russia-Ukraine talks took place in Istanbul on July 23, where both sides agreed to exchange civilians and service members. Moscow also invited Ukraine to establish three online working groups to address political, military, and humanitarian issues. Additionally, Russia offered to transfer the remains of 3,000 Ukrainian troops and resume limited humanitarian pauses along the frontline to allow for the recovery of the wounded and the dead. Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s chief negotiator, stated that a decision on a fourth round of talks would only be made once the existing agreements are implemented.