Peskov Outlines Conditions for Future Russia-Ukraine Talks: Dependence on Kyiv and U.S. Mediation
In Moscow, new statements have been made regarding the prospects of ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov recently expressed his views on the potential timing of the next round of talks, emphasizing that the overall progress of this diplomatic process will depend on several crucial factors. Primarily, he highlighted the importance of assessing the actual situation on the ground and the negotiations conducted directly in the field. According to Peskov, Moscow expects to set the date for the third round of consultations in the near future. The second round of negotiations took place on June 3 in Istanbul, where the parties exchanged memoranda regarding ceasefire agreements and humanitarian issues. These agreements included plans for the exchange of seriously wounded, ill prisoners, and military personnel under 25, as well as the return of the bodies of the fallen in a format of '6000 to 6000'. Additionally, Ukraine provided Russia with a list of children that Kyiv insists on returning. It is noteworthy that earlier reports indicated that the date for the third round could be announced after June 22. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that after finalizing discussions on humanitarian aspects, Kyiv intends to initiate a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin to discuss further steps toward peace and the cessation of hostilities.