Kremlin Anticipates New Round of Peace Talks with Ukraine as July Approaches

Moscow Waits on Ukraine for Confirmation

As diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict cautiously resume, the Kremlin announced on Monday that it expects a new date for peace negotiations to be confirmed by the end of this week. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, speaking to reporters in Moscow, said that while the timing of the third round of talks remains uncertain, some clarity is likely to emerge before early July, as reported by Anadolu Agency.

“We expect that some estimates will be made this week for the third round,” Peskov noted, admitting that it is still “difficult to guess” the exact date. Nevertheless, the statement signals that the Kremlin is actively preparing for another attempt at dialogue.

Istanbul Hosted the First Steps

The first two rounds of revived peace talks were held in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 16 and June 2. Facilitated by Turkish diplomats, the discussions were viewed as tentative yet constructive by analysts, given the complex and often volatile backdrop of the ongoing war.

According to Russian sources cited by Anadolu, both delegations exchanged draft memorandums on a possible framework for peace. Notably, the sides also reached a humanitarian agreement to exchange seriously wounded prisoners of war and repatriate the remains of fallen soldiers. Russia has since claimed to have returned around 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian servicemen.

Putin Hints at Post-June 22 Timeline

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously stated that a decision on the third round of talks would likely come after June 22, reinforcing the idea that mid-to-late summer could bring renewed diplomatic traction. While no firm schedule has yet been announced, his comments suggest a degree of preparedness on Moscow’s part to continue exploring a political resolution.

Despite maintaining its military objectives, the Kremlin’s participation in peace talks underscores a dual strategy, military pressure on the ground coupled with negotiation efforts on the diplomatic front.

Ongoing Hostilities Cast Shadow on Dialogue

Fighting continues across eastern and southern Ukraine, and neither side appears close to halting military operations. Yet the return to the negotiation table, even amid combat, hints at a reluctant acknowledgment that battlefield outcomes alone may not resolve the conflict.

Peskov emphasized that the road ahead remains uncertain and hinges on Kyiv’s response. “Negotiation has always been on the table,” he reiterated, though progress will require “serious political will.”

What Comes Next?

If the third round proceeds as expected in early July, it could mark a rare opening for meaningful diplomacy in a war that has left thousands dead and millions displaced. For now, both the Ukrainian and Russian governments remain tight-lipped about specifics, but the international community continues to press for a ceasefire and eventual peace agreement.

While talks may not yet promise a definitive resolution, they represent a necessary, if fragile, step forward in a deeply fractured landscape.