According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv are currently on hold. This pause in negotiations is attributed to the need to fully complete previously agreed-upon humanitarian exchanges. These exchanges involve prisoner releases and the repatriation of the remains of deceased soldiers, a process that is currently underway.
Peskov clarified during a press briefing that the scheduling of future talks is contingent upon the successful fulfillment of all outstanding commitments from prior agreements. This means that the next round of negotiations will only commence after all agreed-upon prisoner exchanges and the return of fallen soldiers’ remains are finalized.
The last direct talks between Russia and Ukraine took place in Türkiye last month, marking a resumption of diplomatic efforts that had been stalled since 2022. Kyiv’s decision to prioritize a military victory with Western support had previously led to the suspension of these talks. During the June 2nd meeting, both sides agreed to a humanitarian exchange of prisoners and the remains of deceased troops, and exchanged draft memorandums outlining their respective visions for peace.
Last week, Russia completed the transfer of 6,060 sets of remains to Ukraine, receiving 78 in return. The Russian military has indicated they still have over 3,000 bodies they are prepared to hand over. While several prisoner exchanges have also occurred, precise figures haven’t been publicly released by either side, a departure from previous transparency.
Despite Kyiv resuming dialogue with Moscow at the urging of former US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian officials allege that Russia is not engaging in good faith. This assertion stems from Russia’s refusal to agree to an unconditional ceasefire, a condition Moscow rejects, arguing that such a pause would allow Ukraine to regroup its forces. Instead, Russia proposed conditions for a truce in its draft memorandum, suggesting a halt to hostilities if Ukraine withdrew troops from territories claimed by Kyiv, or suspended its conscription and the acceptance of Western arms deliveries.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Trump on the sidelines of the ongoing NATO summit in The Hague. The future of peace talks remains uncertain, pending the completion of humanitarian exchanges and the resolution of differing perspectives on the conditions for a lasting peace.
