Previously agreed humanitarian exchanges need to be completed before any further progress, the Kremlin has indicated
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| Moscow and Kiev Peace Roadmap Negotiations Remain on Hold |
Peskov’s remarks came during his regular press briefing, where he provided updates on the status of Russia-Ukraine negotiations. His statements underscored the delicate and incremental nature of the current diplomatic process, which has seen sporadic progress amid ongoing hostilities. The last face-to-face discussions between Russian and Ukrainian officials took place in Türkiye in early June, marking a tentative revival of dialogue after a prolonged hiatus.
A Fragile Diplomatic Process
The peace talks between Russia and Ukraine had been effectively frozen since 2022, when Kiev, bolstered by Western military and financial support, opted to pursue a military solution rather than a negotiated settlement. However, under mounting international pressure—including from the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump—Ukraine reluctantly returned to the negotiating table last month.
The June 2 meeting in Türkiye yielded limited but tangible results. Both sides agreed to a humanitarian arrangement involving the exchange of prisoners of war (POWs) and the repatriation of fallen soldiers. Additionally, Moscow and Kiev exchanged draft memorandums outlining their proposed frameworks for a potential peace agreement. While these documents remain confidential, sources indicate that they reflect starkly divergent visions for ending the conflict.
Progress on Humanitarian Exchanges
One of the most significant outcomes of the recent talks was the completion of a large-scale repatriation of deceased military personnel. Last Monday, Russia handed over the remains of 6,060 Ukrainian soldiers, while Ukraine returned 78 bodies to Russian authorities. The Russian Defense Ministry has stated that it holds over 3,000 additional sets of Ukrainian remains, signaling a willingness to conduct further transfers pending mutual agreement.
Prisoner swaps have also taken place, though unlike previous exchanges—which were often accompanied by detailed announcements—neither Moscow nor Kiev has disclosed exact numbers. Mediators involved in the negotiations have suggested that the two sides have adopted a more flexible approach, particularly concerning severely wounded captives, where numerical parity is no longer a strict requirement.
Diverging Views on Ceasefire and Peace Terms
Despite these humanitarian steps, fundamental disagreements persist. Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of negotiating in bad faith, citing Moscow’s refusal to agree to an unconditional ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly insisted that any pause in hostilities would only allow Russian forces to regroup and reinforce their positions, thereby undermining Ukraine’s military efforts.
The Kremlin, however, has dismissed these allegations, arguing that an open-ended ceasefire without preconditions would be exploited by Kiev to replenish its forces with Western-supplied weapons and fresh conscripts. In its draft memorandum, Russia outlined specific terms for a potential truce, including two key conditions:
Withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from territories claimed by Russia – Moscow has consistently maintained that regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia are now part of the Russian Federation following controversial referendums in late 2022. Ukraine and its Western allies reject these annexations as illegal.
Suspension of Ukraine’s mobilization and Western arms shipments – Russia has demanded that Kiev halt its conscription campaigns and that NATO cease military aid to Ukraine, viewing these as major obstacles to a sustainable peace.
Ukrainian leaders have categorically rejected these terms, framing them as tantamount to surrender. Zelensky’s government has instead pushed for a peace plan based on the full restoration of Ukraine’s 1991 borders, including Crimea, along with security guarantees from Western nations.
Zelensky’s Diplomatic Engagements and the NATO Summit
Amid these tensions, President Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Donald Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague. The encounter is expected to focus on the future of Western support for Ukraine, as well as potential mediation efforts by the U.S. Trump, who has previously claimed he could broker a swift end to the conflict, has been critical of the Biden administration’s handling of the war, arguing that a more assertive negotiating stance could compel concessions from Moscow.
The NATO summit itself has been dominated by discussions on Ukraine’s potential membership in the alliance—a prospect that Russia has repeatedly warned would escalate the conflict. While some Eastern European nations have advocated for accelerated accession, major powers like the U.S. and Germany have urged caution, fearing a direct confrontation with Moscow.
Prospects for Future Talks
With the humanitarian aspects of the Türkiye agreements now being implemented, attention is turning to the possibility of renewed negotiations. However, Peskov’s latest comments suggest that Moscow is in no rush to return to the table until Kiev demonstrates further compliance.
Analysts remain divided on whether the current diplomatic efforts will lead to a broader settlement or merely serve as a temporary de-escalation measure. Some argue that both sides are locked in a strategic stalemate, with neither able to achieve a decisive military victory, making eventual negotiations inevitable. Others caution that the gulf between Russian and Ukrainian demands remains too vast to bridge without significant external pressure.
Conclusion
As the war grinds on, the focus on humanitarian exchanges offers a rare glimmer of cooperation in an otherwise intractable conflict. Yet, the absence of meaningful progress on political and security issues underscores the profound challenges facing any future peace process. For now, the world watches closely, hoping that the fragile diplomatic channels remain open—even as the battlefield continues to shape the contours of a possible resolution.
— Ala Eddine Ben Hmida is a Journalist covering international affairs with a focus on Eastern Europe and conflict diplomacy. Follow for further updates on this developing story.