Moscow is once again awaiting a signal from Kyiv to commence peace negotiations, but so far, no specific actions have preceded this from the Ukrainian side
The spokesperson for the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that Russia remains open to dialogue; however, in his words, it is the Ukrainian side that must take the first step. In an interview with the Russian information agency "RIA Novosti" and the Telegram channel "Вы слушали Маяк" (You Were Listening to Mayak), he stated that Moscow is expecting signs of readiness for negotiations from Kyiv: "At least from Kyiv. Kyiv must take some actions in connection with this. They have a legal ban on negotiations. But so far, we see no actions." Thus, the actions of the Ukrainian side remain a key factor for Moscow in the possibility of resuming diplomatic dialogue. Commenting on the words of the American leader about the need to cease strikes on Ukraine, Peskov noted: "There were such words. The SVO (Special Military Operation, as Moscow refers to its unprovoked military intervention against Ukraine) continues. Efforts by the US are ongoing to steer the process back onto a peaceful course." At the same time, he assured that Russia has "repeatedly confirmed" its readiness to begin negotiations without any preconditions, emphasizing that all efforts for peaceful settlement are ongoing. When asked whether dialogue is possible in the near future, he briefly summarized: "Efforts continue. That’s all I can say on this topic." The prerequisites for these recent statements have their own history. On April 25, in the Kremlin, a fourth meeting of the year took place between Vladimir Putin and the US President’s special envoy, Stephen Vitkoff. According to official information, this meeting was another step in the effort to align the positions of the two superpowers on a number of important issues, including the possibility of restoring direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Kremlin representatives noted that such meetings provide opportunities to establish dialogue and seek possible avenues for peaceful resolution of the conflict, which already significantly affects not only regional but also global order. Amid this diplomatic activity, calls continue for Ukraine to make the first move. However, official Kyiv remains on the sidelines for now, emphasizing that any negotiations are only possible with the complete return and withdrawal of the aggressor from Ukrainian territory. At the same time, international players assert that seeking a diplomatic solution to the conflict is a strategic goal and repeatedly emphasize the necessity of respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Therefore, the situation remains tense and dynamic: Moscow openly states its readiness for dialogue but is waiting for a first step from the Ukrainian side. Meanwhile, diplomatic contacts at the highest levels are intensifying, aimed at finding pathways to peace and conflict resolution, which has long become one of the most pressing issues in modern international politics.